Patna: Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, Chief Justice of Patna High Court, has been appointed to the Supreme Court of India. The appointment, made by the President under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, will take effect once he assumes office in Delhi.
Pancholi, who was transferred from Gujarat High Court to Patna in July 2023, was sworn in as Chief Justice of Patna High Court just over a year later, on July 21. Born on May 28, 1968, he began practising law in September 1991. His judicial career started with his appointment as an additional judge of Gujarat High Court in October 2014, and he became a permanent judge in June 2016.
Members of Bihar’s legal fraternity, including Advocate General PK Shahi, Senior Advocate Yogesh Chandra Verma, and State Bar Council President Ramakant Sharma, congratulated him on his elevation. A Full Court Farewell Reference will be held at Patna High Court on Thursday, August 28.
However, his departure has sharpened concerns over the severe shortage of judges in Patna High Court. The number of sitting judges remains well below the sanctioned strength, affecting the pace of judicial proceedings. Although the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended names including Senior Advocate Anshul, Advocate Praveen Kumar, and Ritesh Kumar for appointment, the central government is yet to clear them.
