On Friday, the Central government issued a notification confirming the appointment of the acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court as the Chief Justice of the same court. The Ministry of Law & Justice published the official notification, exercising the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India. The notification states that Shri Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti, a Judge of the Kerala High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, effective from the date he assumes office.
The recommendation for Justice Bhatti's appointment as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court was made by the Supreme Court Collegium on April 19. The Collegium acknowledged Justice Bhatti's seniority as the most senior Judge from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and his current role as the senior most judge of the Kerala High Court. The Collegium also recognized the value of Justice Bhatti's experience as a senior puisne judge in two High Courts in his new position as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
The Collegium's resolution further noted that there is no judge from the High Court of Andhra Pradesh serving as Chief Justice of any High Court. Taking all these factors into consideration, the Collegium expressed its belief that Justice S V Bhatti is highly suitable and qualified to assume the role of Chief Justice of the High Court of Kerala.
Following the retirement of the former Chief Justice of the High Court, Justice S Manikumar, on April 24, the Central government had earlier notified Justice Bhatti's appointment as the acting Chief Justice. Justice Bhatti, born on May 6, 1962, holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law from Jagadguru Renukacharya College, Bangalore. He enrolled in the Bar Council of Andhra Pradesh in January 1987 and commenced his practice in the High Court of Judicature of AP at Hyderabad. On April 12, 2013, he was sworn in as an additional judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Later, in June 2014, he became a judge of the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad for the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh. Finally, on March 19, 2019, he was transferred and appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court.
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TAGS: Central government appointment acting Chief Justice Kerala High Court Chief Justice notification Ministry of Law & Justice Constitution of India President charge Supreme Court Collegium recommendation senior-most Judge Andhra Pradesh Kerala High Court experience resolution fit and suitable relevant factors retired S Manikumar Bar Council practice Judicature Andhra Pradesh Telangana.
