SC recommends Justice Naresh Patil as the next Bombay HC CJ

The Supreme Court collegium on Friday recommended the name Justice Naresh Patil for the post of the 42nd Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. The post of the CJ is lying vacant since December 2017 after the retirement of Justice Manjula Chellur.

The final decision will, however, be taken by the Union government.

Justice Patil is presently holding the charge of Acting Chief Justice of the HC after the elevation of former Acting CJ Vijaya Tahilramani as the CJ of Madras HC. The collegium comprising of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph shortlisted Justice Patil’s name for the post.

“Having regard to all relevant factors, the collegium finds Justice N Patil suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. The collegium resolves to recommend accordingly,” the resolution uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website reads.

Justice Patil, an alumnus of the Government Law College, Mumbai, is the seniormost puisne judge of the Bombay HC. He completed his graduation in law from Bombay University in 1979 and practised mostly at the Aurangabad bench of the HC on matters pertaining to constitutional law along with criminal and civil laws. He was sworn in as a Judge of the Bombay HC in October 2001.

If his appointment is cleared by the Union government, Justice Patil would remain in office for nearly six months as he is due to retire in April 2019.

It may be noted that at least 11 judges of the HC are due to retire by December 2019 after which the now strength of 72 would come down to 61.

Having regard to all relevant factors, the collegium finds Justice N Patil suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court - SC COLLEGIUM