Centre Approves Appointment of Five New Supreme Court Judges, Including Senior Advocate V Mohana

The appointment of Justice Sheel Nagu, Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Justice Arun Palli, and Senior Advocate V Mohana as judges of the Supreme Court marks one of the most significant expansions of the apex court in recent years. The Centre approved their appointments shortly after increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges through an ordinance.

The five appointments follow recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. With their elevation, 37 of the 38 sanctioned positions in the Supreme Court now stand filled, strengthening the Court’s capacity to handle its growing workload.

Among the new appointees, four are serving Chief Justices of different High Courts. Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, brings extensive experience in civil, constitutional, and service law matters. Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, has dealt with several high-profile cases and becomes the first judge from Jharkhand’s parent High Court to represent the State in the Supreme Court in recent years.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, has a long association with the Delhi High Court and the Bar Council of India. Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, is known for his contributions to legal services initiatives and dispute resolution mechanisms.

The elevation of Senior Advocate V Mohana is particularly historic. She becomes only the second woman in India’s history to be directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court after Justice Indu Malhotra in 2018. Her appointment also increases women’s representation in the apex court, where she will serve alongside Justice BV Nagarathna.

The appointments are expected to enhance the Supreme Court’s institutional strength at a time when judicial vacancies, pendency, and access to timely justice remain key concerns. With diverse experience across constitutional law, public law, civil litigation, judicial administration, and advocacy, the five new judges are set to play an important role in shaping the Court’s future jurisprudence.

The appointments also reflect a mix of judicial and Bar representation, bringing together experienced High Court judges and a distinguished Senior Advocate to the country’s highest judicial forum.