Collegium names Andhra Pradesh chief justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, KV Viswanathan for Supreme Court judgeship

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Andhra Pradesh High Court chief justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and senior advocate KV Viswanathan for elevation as apex court judges.

According to the resolution passed by the collegium headed by CJI DY Chandrachud, the decision to recommend Mishra's elevation "was taken after a careful evaluation of the merit, integrity and competence of eligible chief justices and senior puisne judges of high courts, as well as accommodating a plurality of considerations".

Justice Mishra was appointed as chief justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court on October 13, 2021. Earlier, he had served as judge and acting chief justice of Chhattisgarh High Court.


The collegium also opined that Viswanathan's appointment will enhance the bar's representation in the composition of SC as he was its distinguished member. "His wide experience and profound knowledge will provide a significant value addition to the Supreme Court," read the resolution.

If Vishwanathan's name is cleared by the central government, he will end up becoming the fourth lawyer from the bar to become Chief Justice of India in 2030.

The Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges and is currently functioning with 32. The strength will come down to 28 by the second week of July after the retirement of four SC judges.