Three HCs without regular CJs; two more CJs to retire

While three High Courts in the country are functioning under acting Chief Justices, the Supreme Court Collegium – which recommends the names of candidates for appointment as High Court Judges – has its work cut out with two more High Court Chief Justices set to retire later this year. The High Courts of Gauhati, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand are functioning under officiating Chief Justices NK Singh, Sanjay Yadav and RV Malimath. An acting Chief Justice is appointed to take care of the day-to-day administration of a high court in the absence of a regular chief justice. Presently, the Centre is awaiting recommendations from the Collegium for appointments of chief justices in these courts. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladhak High Court Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Madras High Court Chief Justice Ameshwar Pratap Sahi are set to retire in December this year.  Their retirements will trigger the process of appointment of Judges once again. Judicial appointments are considered to be the joint responsibility of the executive and the judiciary requiring consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities.