Collegium recommends Justice Vikram Nath as First Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh HC [Read Resolution]

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended that Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Vikram Nath be appointed the first Chief Justice of the recently constituted Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati.

The office of the Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice has been lying vacant since the day of its inception, notes the resolution passed on Monday. Following its creation, the High Court has been manned by Acting Chief Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar.

In view of the same, the Collegium has recommended Justice Vikram Nath to take charge as its first Chief Justice. The resolution passed to this effect states,

“Mr. Justice Vikram Nath is the senior-most Judge from Allahabad High Court and is functioning in that High Court since his elevation. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium finds Mr Justice Vikram Nath suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The Collegium resolves to recommend accordingly.“

Justice Vikram Nath obtained his law degree in 1986. Following his enrolment in 1987, he practised in the Allahabad High Court. He was appointed an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2004. He was made a permanent judge of the High Court in 2006. 

While recommending that Justice Nath be appointed the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, the Collegium has also noted that,”upon the proposed appointment there will be three Chief Justices from the Allahabad High Court, which is the largest High Court in the country with the sanctioned strength of 160 Judges.”

Image courtesy: Allahabad High Court website.

Read the Collegium Resolution dated April 8, 2019: