Himachal's Tarlok Chauhan Recommended as Jharkhand Chief Justice by Supreme Court Collegium
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : In a significant development, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan of the Himachal Pradesh High Court for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. The decision was taken during the Collegium meeting held on Monday, aiming to fill several top judicial vacancies across High Courts in the country.
Justice Chauhan, known for his judicial acumen and integrity, has been serving as a senior judge in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. His elevation is seen as a strategic move to bring experienced leadership to the Jharkhand High Court, where the position of Chief Justice has been lying vacant or held by an acting Chief Justice.
In the same meeting, the Supreme Court Collegium also made recommendations for the appointment of Chief Justices in three other High Courts — Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Patna — as part of a broader reshuffle aimed at streamlining judicial administration and addressing pending vacancies.
The Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, is responsible for the selection and transfer of judges in the higher judiciary. Monday’s recommendations come at a time when several High Courts are dealing with a backlog of cases and leadership transitions.
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan was appointed as a judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2014. Over the years, he has delivered several landmark judgments and earned a reputation for upholding constitutional values and judicial discipline. His elevation to Chief Justice is expected to bring stability and decisiveness to the judicial functioning in Jharkhand.
The recommendations now await approval from the President of India, following consultation with the Union Law Ministry, before formal notifications are issued and the appointments come into effect. This reshuffle of Chief Justices across four key High Courts underlines the Supreme Court's effort to maintain judicial continuity and strengthen the leadership at the helm of High Courts, ensuring timely justice delivery in states with significant case backlogs.