GOVERNMENT NOTIFIES TRANSFER OF MEGHALAYA HIGH COURT CHIEF JUSTICE TO KERALA HC AND APPOINTMENTS OF NEW CHIEF JUSTICES FOR MEGHALAYA AND PATNA HIGH COURTS:

The Ministry of Law and Justice has issued notifications for two new judicial appointments and one transfer of a sitting Chief Justice, following the recommendations approved by the Supreme Court Collegium during its meeting on December 18, 2025.

In a significant development, Justice Soumen Sen, currently serving as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, has been transferred to the Kerala High Court. He will take over as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court following the retirement of the incumbent, Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, on January 9, 2026. The transfer, effected under the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, was made after consultation between the President and the Chief Justice of India. Justice Sen has been directed to assume charge of his new office immediately upon Justice Jamdar’s retirement.

With Justice Sen’s departure from Meghalaya, the position of Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court has been filled by the elevation of Justice Revati Prashant Mohite Dere, presently a Judge of the Bombay High Court. Under the powers granted by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution, the President has appointed her as Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court, with the appointment taking effect from the date she assumes charge following the transfer of the incumbent Chief Justice. Justice Mohite Dere’s elevation marks another step in strengthening the leadership of one of India’s younger high courts.

In a separate but concurrent appointment, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, currently a Judge of the Orissa High Court, has been elevated as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. This appointment, also made in exercise of the powers under clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution, will take effect from the date he assumes charge of the office. The move addresses the leadership requirements of the Patna High Court, one of the oldest and busiest high courts in the country.

These notifications, both dated January 1, 2026, and published on the Ministry’s website, reflect the government’s prompt action on the Collegium’s recommendations made just over two weeks earlier. The swift processing of these proposals underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure timely filling of vacancies and transfers at the level of Chief Justices of High Courts across India.

The transfers and appointments are part of the regular process of judicial administration aimed at maintaining efficiency, experience sharing across different high courts, and addressing administrative needs. Justice Sen’s move to Kerala brings his extensive experience to a court with a substantial caseload, while the appointments of Justice Mohite Dere and Justice Sahoo introduce fresh leadership to Meghalaya and Patna respectively.

These changes come at a time when the judiciary continues to grapple with pendency issues and the need for robust leadership at the high court level. The Collegium system, through its recommendations, plays a crucial role in selecting and placing senior judges in positions of greater responsibility, ensuring that high courts are headed by experienced members of the higher judiciary. Overall, the three notifications signal continued coordination between the Supreme Court Collegium and the Union Government in matters of high judicial appointments and transfers, helping maintain stability and continuity in the administration of justice across various high courts in the country.