NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai on Friday administered the oath of office to Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, following their elevation to the Supreme Court on August 27.
With their appointment, the apex court has regained its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the CJI. Justice Pancholi is in line to become Chief Justice of India in October 2031, succeeding Justice Joymalya Bagchi upon his retirement on October 2 that year. He will assume office on October 3, 2031, and serve until May 27, 2033.
On August 25, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended the elevation of Justices Aradhe and Pancholi. However, collegium member Justice B. V. Nagarathna, the only woman judge in the top court, strongly dissented from the recommendation to appoint Justice Pancholi. She argued that his elevation would be “counter-productive” and risk undermining the credibility of the collegium system.
Justice Alok Aradhe
Born: April 13, 1964.
Enrolled as an advocate on July 12, 1988; practiced in civil, constitutional, arbitration, and company law in the Madhya Pradesh High Court; designated senior advocate in April 2007.
Appointed additional judge, Madhya Pradesh High Court (Dec 29, 2009); permanent judge (Feb 15, 2011).
Transferred to J&K High Court (Sept 2016); served as Acting Chief Justice (May 2018).
Transferred to Karnataka High Court (Nov 2018); served as Acting Chief Justice (July–Oct 2022).
Appointed Chief Justice, Telangana High Court (July 2023).
Transferred as Chief Justice, Bombay High Court (Jan 21, 2025).
Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi
Born: May 28, 1968, in Ahmedabad.
Enrolled as an advocate in September 1991; practiced at the Gujarat High Court.
Served as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor (1999–2006).
Visiting faculty, Sir L. A. Shah Law College, Ahmedabad (1993–2014).
Elevated as Additional Judge, Gujarat High Court (Oct 1, 2014); permanent judge (June 10, 2016).
Transferred to Patna High Court (July 24, 2023).
Appointed Chief Justice, Patna High Court (July 21, 2025).
