GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court collegium has recommended the appointment of Shamima Jahan, an advocate, and Yarenjungla Longkumer, a judicial officer, as judges of the Gauhati High Court.
This recommendation follows a thorough examination of the high court collegium’s suggestions made in May 2023.
The resolution, passed by the Supreme Court collegium, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai, follows the scrutiny and evaluation undertaken last October.
This report, compiled in consultation with the High Court collegium members, aimed to provide insights into the candidates’ suitability, considering inputs from the government.
The Chief Justice forwarded the proceedings of the collegium in letters dated October 19, 2023, and November 7, 2023, elucidating the candidates’ credentials.
Further deliberations were postponed, awaiting a comprehensive report from the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
Following the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), judges of the Supreme Court, well-acquainted with the intricacies of the Gauhati High Court, were consulted to assess the fitness and suitability of Jahan and Longkumer.
After thorough consideration of these inputs and the High Court collegium’s recommendation, it was determined that both candidates are eminently suitable for appointment as judges of the Gauhati High Court.
The Collegium formally resolved to recommend their appointments, with their inter se seniority to be fixed in accordance with existing practice.
The Gauhati High Court, at present, houses 23 judges against the sanctioned strength of 24, with only four among them being women.
The recommendation of Jahan and Longkumer addresses the need for gender diversity on the bench.
