November 18, 2024: The Supreme Court collegium has recommended Justice D Krishnakumar, a senior judge of the Madras High Court, to become the next Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. The appointment will follow the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, Siddharth Mridul, on November 21, 2024.

The recommendation, made public on Monday, adheres to the guidelines outlined in the memorandum of procedure (MoP) for judicial appointments, which prioritize seniority, merit, and integrity. The collegium, consisting of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Bhushan R Gavai and Surya Kant, has now forwarded the proposal to the Union government for final approval and notification.

Justice Krishnakumar, the senior-most puisne judge of the Madras High Court, brings a wealth of experience in civil, constitutional, and service law, with a particular focus on constitutional matters. He was appointed to the Madras High Court in April 2016 and is noted for his professional competence and commitment to upholding judicial standards.

The resolution further highlights that Justice Krishnakumar, who hails from a backward community, will bring fair representation to the Madras High Court, which currently has only one serving Chief Justice among the 25 high courts across the country. His term in Manipur will be brief, however, as he is scheduled to retire in May 2025.

Justice Krishnakumar is set to take over the reins at a time of significant unrest in Manipur, a state grappling with severe ethnic violence since May 2023. The ongoing crisis has led to widespread instability, and the appointment of a new Chief Justice is seen as crucial in restoring judicial order and addressing the legal complexities arising from the conflict.

The collegium's recommendation follows a lengthy delay in the appointment of the current Chief Justice, Siddharth Mridul, whose name was cleared in October 2023, more than three months after the collegium's initial recommendation.