The Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, has recommended the appointment of Justice K Vinod Chandran, the current Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as a judge of the Supreme Court. This decision addresses the absence of Kerala High Court representation in the Supreme Court since the retirement of Justice CT Ravikumar  last week.

Justice Chandran, whose parent High Court is Kerala, has an illustrious judicial career spanning over 11 years as a High Court judge and more than a year as Chief Justice of a major High Court. His name stands at the 13th position in the all-India seniority list of High Court judges and at the top among judges from the Kerala High Court. The Collegium emphasized his vast experience across diverse legal domains and highlighted his seniority and competence while making the recommendation.

Justice Chandran began his tenure as a judge in the Kerala High Court on November 8, 2011, before being elevated as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on March 23, 2023. His leadership in one of India’s significant High Courts has been instrumental in strengthening judicial processes. The Collegium’s decision ensures Kerala High Court’s representation in the apex court, reflecting its commitment to maintaining a balanced judiciary across regions.

The Collegium has also proposed other key judicial appointments and transfers, including Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya’s transfer from the Bombay High Court to the Delhi High Court and Justice Alok Aradhe’s transfer from the Telangana High Court to the Bombay High Court. These recommendations aim to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure balanced regional representation in the judiciary.

Justice Chandran’s elevation comes as the Supreme Court currently operates with 32 judges against its sanctioned strength of 34. His appointment is expected to bolster the Court’s functioning and bring valuable expertise to its bench.