The Ministry of Law and Justice on March 10, 2025,𝕴 notified the appointment of sitting Judge of Calcutta High Court, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, to a Supreme Court of India bench. Justice Bagchi’s name was recommended by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna on March 6, 2025 and he will be appointed to the apex bench by the President of India exercising the p♏owers under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
In its recommendation, the Collegium noted that there had not been a Chief Justice of India from Calcutta High Court since Justice Altamas Kabir retired in 2013. Justice Bagchi will take over the CJI when Justice K.V. Viswanathan retires in May 2031. H♋e will be an SC judge for almost six years and the CJI for five months before retiring on October 2, 2031.
“On the retirement of Mr. Justice K.V. Viswanathan on 25th May 2031, Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi would be in line to assume office as the Chief Justice of India till his retirement on 02nd October 2031. Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi would have a tenure of more than six years before he assumes the office of the Chief Justice of India,” the collegium’🌄s statement said.
Justice Bagchi was appointed as a HC judge at Calcutta on June 27, 2011. He held the position till January, 2021 when he was transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He found himself back in Calcutta eleven months later. As of No✨vember 2021 to March 2025, he functioned in Calcutta High Court, making his career as a judge almost 14 years long.
During his career he presided over several high-profile cases including such as the book ban on Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen’s Dwikhondito. Justice Bagchiꩵ’s stance in the case cemented his place as a defender of freedom of expression and civil liberties.
During his tenure in Calcutta HC, he was known for swift judgꦑments on cases of financial fraud and breach of public trust.
With ꦦthe appointment of Justice Bagchi, the SC judges’ strength will be 33 Judges, just one short of its sanctioned strength of 34 Judges.
