Five more Supreme Court judges take oath; strength goes up to 32

New Delhi, February 6: Five newly appointed Supreme Court judges on Monday took oath of office. With this, the strength of the top court has reached 32 against sanctioned strength of 34.

Justice Pankaj Mithal, Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice PV Sanjay Kumar, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Manoj Misra were administered oath as judges of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at a brief ceremony here.

The Central Government had notified their appointment on Saturday.  Before their elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Pankaj Mithal, Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice P V Sanjay Kumar were the Chief Justices of the High Courts of Rajasthan, Patna and Manipur, respectively. Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Manoj Misra were judges of the Patna High Court of the Allahabad High Court.

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The Supreme Court Collegium had on December 13 last recommended their names for the elevation. On February 3, an apex court Bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul gave a word of caution to the Central Government saying things would get "uncomfortable if the government continues to delay judicial appointments and transfers".

Justice Kaul had told the Centre, "If you keep them pending... you will make us take some very, very difficult decisions."

After August 26, 2021, when nine Supreme Court judges were appointed together, this is the second time when so many judges have been appointed in one single batch. 

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- With inputs from agencies

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