Himachal High Court Set to Get a Boost with Three New Judges

The Himachal Pradesh High Court may soon see an increase in its strength, as three new judges are likely to be appointed in the coming weeks. The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the names of Chirag Bhanu Singh, Bhupesh Sharma, and Yogesh Jaswal for elevation to the High Court and has forwarded the proposal to the central government for approval.

The decision was taken during a Collegium meeting held on June 2 under the leadership of Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant. Along with Himachal Pradesh, recommendations were also made for judicial appointments in the High Courts of Punjab and Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka—indicating a broader effort to strengthen the judiciary across the country.

At present, these appointments are still at the recommendation stage. The final step involves approval from the central government, followed by the formal consent of the President of India. Once these constitutional processes are completed, the three nominees are expected to formally take charge as judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

The proposed appointments come at an important time, as the High Court continues to deal with a significant number of pending cases. An increase in the number of judges is expected to ease the workload and help accelerate the disposal of cases, bringing relief to litigants.

The sanctioned strength of the Himachal Pradesh High Court is 17 judges, including the Chief Justice. However, the court is currently functioning with only 12 sitting judges, highlighting the gap that these new appointments aim to fill.

Currently, Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia serves as the Chief Justice of the High Court. He is supported by a team of experienced judges, including senior members like Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, and Justice Sandeep Sharma. The bench also includes Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, the only woman judge in the court, along with several other sitting judges who collectively handle the court’s heavy caseload.

If approved, the addition of three new judges will not only strengthen the judicial bench but also improve the efficiency of the court. For many awaiting justice, this step could mean quicker hearings and faster decisions—something that has long been needed.