Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced on Tuesday that President Droupadi Mumru has appointed Justices H N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan as judges of the Supreme Court of India.
Justice H N Kotiswar Singh is currently the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. He took the oath of office on February 15, 2023. Justice Singh is notable for being the first person from the northeastern state of Manipur to become a judge of the Supreme Court.
Justice Singh was born on March 1, 1963, in Imphal, Manipur. He is the son of Justice N Ibotombi Singh, who served as Manipur’s first Advocate General and was a judge at the Gauhati High Court, and N Gomati Devi. Justice Singh initially practiced law before the Supreme Court of India and later transitioned to the Gauhati High Court.
Justice Singh was recognized as a senior advocate by the Gauhati High Court in 2008. In 2011, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Gauhati High Court, and in 2012, he became a permanent judge. When the Manipur High Court was established in 2013, he was appointed as a judge there. In 2018, he was transferred back to the Gauhati High Court, where he eventually became the Chief Justice.
With his appointment to the Supreme Court, Manipur has secured its first representation in the apex court after over 50 years of statehood. His name was recommended by the Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai, Surya Kant, and Hrishikesh Roy on July 12.
Justice R Mahadevan is the acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He belongs to the backward class and completed his law degree from Madras Law College. He began practicing as a lawyer in 1989, specializing in civil, criminal, and writ cases, with a focus on indirect taxes, customs, and central excise matters.
Justice Mahadevan has had a notable career spanning 25 years before being appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court in 2013. His extensive experience in various branches of law, particularly in tax and customs matters, has distinguished his judicial career.
The appointments of Justices H N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan to the Supreme Court mark significant milestones in their illustrious careers and bring diverse experiences to the highest court of India. Their inclusion is expected to enhance the judiciary’s ability to address a wide range of legal issues, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the Supreme Court.
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