The recent recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud of two Judicial Officers from Manipur for elevation as High Court judges has left many in legal circles wondering why the Bar was ignored completely.
The SC Collegium in its meeting held on January 10 had approved the proposal of elevation of present District & Sessions Judge, Imphal West Aribam Guneshwor Sharma and Registrar General of High Court of Manipur Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui as judges in the Manipur High Court.
As per convention, recommendations by the High Court Collegium for appointment of judges follows promotion from senior judicial officers and direct appointment from among the Bar goes one after another.
The first appointment to the High Court of Manipur was retired Justice Kh Nobin Singh who was from the bar. After him, Songkhupchung Serto was elevated from among the judicial officers.
The latest appointment as judge was Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh who was from the Bar. He was appointed as Additional Judge on March 18, 2020.
Now, two vacancies arose after the retirement of Justice Kh Nobin Singh and transfer of Justice Lanusungkum Jamir to Gauhati High Court. Justice Songkhupchung Serto is set to retire early this year and another vacancy will arise.
The Manipur High Court has at present only three judges, including Chief Justice P V Sanjay Kumar who was recently recommended for appointment as a Supreme Court judge. The other two judges are Justice M V Muralidharan and Justice A Bimol Singh.
It has been learnt from knowledgeable sources that, when Justice Kh Nobin retired the High Court collegium had recommended Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui and after the transfer of Justice Jamir the name of Aribam Guneshwar Sharma was recommended.
Now, it remains to be seen whether the Union Law and Justice Ministry approved both A Guneshwar Sharma and Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui or only one of them.
