NEW DELHI: On Friday, July 14, 2023, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), D.Y. Chandrachud, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and S Venkatanarayana Bhatti as judges of the Supreme Court. This momentous occasion increased the number of judges in the apex court to 32 out of the sanctioned 34, which includes the CJI.

The oath of office was administered to the newly appointed judges by the CJI in a grand ceremony held at the auditorium of the apex court. This event marked the culmination of the central government's approval of the elevation of Justice Bhuyan, the former chief justice of the Telangana High Court, and Justice Bhatti, the former chief justice of Kerala, as judges of the Supreme Court on July 12.

The announcement of their elevation was made by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The apex court collegium, led by the CJI, had earlier recommended their appointment on July 5.

Justice Bhuyan, born on August 2, 1964, was first appointed as a judge of the Gauhati High Court on October 17, 2011. He later became the senior-most judge of his parent High Court, Gauhati, before assuming the position of chief justice of the Telangana High Court on June 28, 2022. His vast experience in various areas of law, particularly in taxation, has shaped his reputation as an esteemed and competent judge. Notably, he has also served as a judge in the Bombay High Court, where he presided over a wide range of cases, including those related to taxation.

Justice Bhatti, born on May 6, 1962, was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on April 12, 2013. With his transfer to the High Court of Kerala in March 2019, he eventually assumed the role of chief justice there on June 1, 2023. His extensive tenure as a judge in both the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and the High Court of Kerala has provided him with significant expertise in various branches of law. His well-regarded judgments in diverse legal areas attest to his legal acumen and competence. Importantly, his appointment also ensures representation for the State of Andhra Pradesh in the Supreme Court, which had been lacking since August 2022.

In summary, the recent swearing-in ceremony of Justices Bhuyan and Bhatti has augmented the strength of judges in the Supreme Court, reinforcing the court's commitment to upholding justice and safeguarding the rule of law.

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