Centre Notifies Appointment Of Patna High Court Chief Justice As Supreme Court Judge

The Ministry of Law and Justice notified the appointment of Justice K. Vinod Chandran, the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Chandran’s elevation to the Supreme Court on January 7. Justice Chandran was first appointed as a judge to the Kerala High Court on November 8, 2011. Later, on March 23, 2023, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, a position he has held since then.
In its resolution recommending Justice Chandran’s elevation, the Collegium highlighted his extensive experience in various areas of law, accumulated over more than 11 years as a judge and over a year as Chief Justice. The Collegium noted his significant experience in handling complex legal matters during his tenure at the High Courts.
Additionally, the Collegium took into account Justice Chandran's all-India seniority ranking. He stands at number 13 in the combined seniority list of all High Court judges across India, and he is ranked number 1 among the judges from the Kerala High Court. The Collegium also noted that there is currently no representation from the Kerala High Court in the Supreme Court, which further influenced their recommendation for his appointment.
The notification dated January 13, 2025 read, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice, Patna High Court, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.”
Following this notification the Ministry has notified the appointment of Justice Ashutosh Kumar as the acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
This appointment is effective from the date Justice K. Vinod Chandran relinquishes his office following his elevation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Ashutosh Kumar was born on October 1, 1966. He completed his schooling at St. Michael's High School in Patna and went on to graduate from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Justice Kumar then obtained his LLB from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University.
He was enrolled as an advocate on July 9, 1991, at the Patna High Court. Justice Kumar was appointed as a judge of the Patna High Court on May 15, 2014. He was later transferred to the Delhi High Court on January 7, 2015, before being repatriated to the Patna High Court on November 24, 2017.
The notification dated January 13, 2025 read, “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Judge of the Patna High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran relinquishes charge of his office consequent upon his elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India”