Terms of three Gauhati High Court additional judges extended

Justices Lanusungkum Jamir, Manash Ranjan Pathak and Rumi Kumari Phukan will continue as additional judges of the Gauhati High Court.

The President signed off on the extension of the terms of the three judges for another year, after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended the same earlier this month.

It is interesting to note that Justices Jamir and Pathak were initially appointed as additional judges in May 2013, and have continued well beyond the stipulated period of service for an additional judge. Justice Phukan too has exceeded the period, having been appointed in January 2015. However, their terms as additional judges have continuously been extended, as opposed to their being made permanent judges.

Article 224(1) of the Constitution clearly mentions,

“…the President may appoint duly qualified persons to be additional Judges of the Court for such period not exceeding two years…”

In its latest resolution, the Collegium noted that the Gauhati High Court had recommended the elevation of the three judges as permanent judges. However, on consulting Supreme Court judges conversant with the affairs of the High Court, the Collegium decided not to make them permanent for the time being. The resolution states,

“Two of the consultee-colleagues have suggested that their overall performance ought to be observed further.”

Justice Jamir and Pathak will continue for one year with effect from November 22, whereas Justice Phukan’s term will be extended for one year with effect from January 7, 2018.

Read the notification: