Patna High Court to Get Five New Judges: Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Appointments to Central Government

KKN Gurugram Desk | The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of five new judges to the Patna High Court under the Advocate Quota. This recommendation has been sent to the Central Government for approval.

Currently, the Patna High Court has 34 judges in service, while the sanctioned strength is 53. If the Central Government approves this recommendation, the total number of judges in the Patna High Court will increase to 39, leaving 14 vacant positions.

Supreme Court Collegium Meeting and Recommendations

On February 20, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium held a meeting and finalized five names for appointment as judges in the Patna High Court. These recommendations were sent to the Central Government for final approval.

Recommended Candidates for Patna High Court Judgeship

The Supreme Court Collegium has suggested the following names for appointment under the Advocate Quota:

1️⃣ Alok Kumar Sinha
2️⃣ Ritesh Kumar
3️⃣ Soni Srivastava
4️⃣ Saurendra Pandey
5️⃣ Anshul (also known as Anshul Raj)

These appointments are expected to strengthen the judicial system in Bihar by addressing the growing backlog of cases in the Patna High Court.

Current Judge Strength and Approved Vacancies in Patna High Court

📌 Total Sanctioned Judge Positions: 53
📌 Currently Serving Judges: 34
📌 Recommended Appointments: 5
📌 If Approved, New Total Judges: 39
📌 Remaining Vacancies: 14

Even with these new appointments, 14 positions will still remain vacant, highlighting the need for additional judicial appointments in the near future.

Why These Appointments Are Crucial?

The Patna High Court is one of the busiest courts in India, handling a large number of pending cases. The increasing case backlog has put immense pressure on the existing judges, affecting the pace of judicial proceedings.

Key Reasons Why New Judges Are Needed

✔ Rising Number of Pending Cases: The court is struggling with a massive backlog.
✔ Strengthening the Judiciary: More judges will help in speeding up case hearings and judgments.
✔ Improving Justice Delivery: Appointing new judges will ensure timely justice for litigants.

These five new appointments will play a vital role in improving the efficiency of the Patna High Court and ensuring faster resolution of cases.

What Happens Next? Approval Process and Final Appointment

The Central Government will now review the recommendations sent by the Supreme Court Collegium. The process involves:

🔹 Government’s Legal and Administrative Review – The Ministry of Law and Justice will analyze the recommended names.
🔹 President’s Approval – Once approved by the government, the President of India will issue the appointment orders.
🔹 Oath Ceremony and Joining – After the final approval, the appointed judges will take oath and assume their judicial duties.

The approval process may take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on government procedures and scrutiny.

Challenges Faced by the Patna High Court

Despite the appointment of five new judges, the Patna High Court will still have 14 vacant positions, which may continue to affect the speed of case hearings.

Challenges That Need to Be Addressed

🚩 Need for More Appointments: The government must work on filling the remaining 14 vacant positions.
🚩 Infrastructure and Digitalization: Courts require better technology and faster case management systems.
🚩 Reduction in Pending Cases: Even with additional judges, the backlog may take time to clear.

The judiciary in Bihar needs more resources and manpower to function efficiently and ensure timely justice for the people.

How This Will Benefit Bihar’s Judiciary System?

The appointment of five new judges is a step in the right direction, which will:

✔ Reduce Delays in Case Hearings – More judges mean faster processing of pending cases.
✔ Enhance Judiciary Efficiency – The workload on existing judges will be distributed more effectively.
✔ Strengthen Bihar’s Legal System – A robust judicial system will improve trust in law and order.

This development is crucial for Bihar’s legal infrastructure, as faster trials and timely judgments are key to strengthening democracy and the justice system.

The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation of five new judges for the Patna High Court is a significant step in enhancing the judicial system in Bihar.

Key Takeaways:
📌 Five new judges recommended for Patna High Court under the Advocate Quota.
📌 If approved, the total number of judges will increase from 34 to 39.
📌 14 more positions will still remain vacant, requiring additional appointments.
📌 This step aims to reduce case backlogs and improve the efficiency of justice delivery.

Once the Central Government approves these appointments, the Patna High Court will be better equipped to handle pending cases and ensure faster legal proceedings.