New Delhi: In a historic move, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court P.B. Varale was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Thursday. This appointment marks a significant moment as Justice Varale becomes one of the three sitting judges in the Supreme Court from the Dalit community, alongside Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice C.T. Ravikumar. The swearing-in ceremony took place at a program organized in the Supreme Court complex.
With the addition of Justice Varale, the Supreme Court now has three sitting judges from the Dalit community, a historic development in the court's history. The sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, is 34. This appointment follows the retirement of Justice S.K. Kaul last month, leading to a vacancy that has now been filled by Justice Varale.
Justice Varale's appointment comes within a week of the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation, led by Chief Justice Chandrachud. The collegium took into account Justice Varale's seniority as one of the high court's most experienced judges. Notably, he is the only Chief Justice of a High Court belonging to the Scheduled Caste category, making his appointment a historic milestone.
The Supreme Court collegium highlighted Justice Varale's commendable role in the judiciary, noting that the court functioned almost the entire last year with a full capacity of 34 judges. During this time, the Supreme Court disposed of an impressive 52,191 cases in the year 2023. Justice Varale, born on June 23, 1962, was initially appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court on July 18, 2008, and later elevated as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court on October 15, 2022.
The appointment of Justice P.B. Varale to the Supreme Court signifies a monumental step toward diversity and inclusivity. His presence, alongside Justices Gavai and Ravikumar, contributes to a historic moment in the Supreme Court, reinforcing the principles of representation and merit in the judiciary. The appointment reflects a commitment to ensuring diverse voices and perspectives in the highest court of the land.
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