In a significant development, the Government of India has announced the appointment of Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The appointment comes under the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India.
The official notification, issued on 27th August 2025 by the Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice), stated:
“The President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.”
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The notification was published in the Gazette of India and formally signed by Jagannath Srinivasan, Joint Secretary to the Government of India. Along with the appointment order, copies of the notification were sent to various authorities, including:
- The Registrar General of the Patna High Court.
- The Secretary to the Governor of Bihar and the Chief Minister of Bihar.
- The Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
- The Chief Secretary and Accountant General of Bihar.
- The President’s Secretariat at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- The Prime Minister’s Office (South Block, New Delhi).
- Registrar (Confidential), Supreme Court of India.
- Other senior officials within the Department of Justice and Ministry of Law & Justice.
The order also instructed the Technical Director of the Department of Justice to upload the notification on the official website www.doj.gov.in for public record.
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Importance of the Appointment
Justice Pancholi’s elevation to the Supreme Court is a crucial step, as it further strengthens the judiciary at the highest level. His judicial experience as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court and prior legal service brings valuable expertise to the apex court.
This appointment reflects the continued process of filling up vacancies in the Supreme Court and ensuring smooth functioning of the Indian judiciary.
