Two New Faces Likely to Join Himachal High Court Bench
In a promising development for Himachal Pradesh’s judicial system, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Advocate Jia Lal Bhardwaj and Advocate Romesh Verma as judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. If approved, this move will raise the number of sitting judges from 11 to 13, bringing much-needed reinforcement to a court currently handling over one lakh pending cases.
Strengthening the Bench
The Himachal High Court has a sanctioned strength of 17 judges, including 13 permanent and 4 additional positions. With Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia at the helm, the current roster includes respected names like Justices Vivek Singh Thakur, Ajay Mohan Goel, Sandeep Sharma, Jyotsna Rewal Dua, and others.
Recently, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan was elevated to serve as Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court — a proud moment for the state’s legal fraternity.
A Boost for Justice Delivery
The addition of two more judges is expected to ease the burden on the judiciary and help accelerate the resolution of long-pending cases. Both Bhardwaj and Verma have distinguished careers in law and are known for their integrity and legal acumen.
Himachal’s Legacy in the Supreme Court
Himachal Pradesh has a proud history of contributing to the nation’s highest court. Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta and Justice Sanjay Karol, both originally from Himachal, have served as judges in the Supreme Court. While Justice Panta has retired, Justice Karol continues to serve with distinction.
