Union Ministry Law and Justice on Monday issued orders appointing Justice Siddharth Mridul of Delhi High Court as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court.
Justice Mridul’s appointment will take effect from the date he assumes charge. Justice MV Murlidharan had been functioning as the Acting Chief Justice after the elevation of Chief Justice to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud had proposed senior most Judge of Delhi High Court Justice Siddharth Mridul for the post of Chief Justice of Manipur High Court on July 6 along with other judges for the High Courts of Kerala, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, Telangana and Gujarat.
The Supreme Court had recently expressed concerns over the central government’s delay in notifying Justice Mridul’s elevation as the chief justice of the Manipur High Court.
In another Supreme Court collegium decision, it had recommended the transfer of Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court Justice MV Muralidharan to the Calcutta High Court.
In a resolution signed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Sanjiv Khanna, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant, the collegium had said that this decision has been made for “better administration of justice” after consulting with the chief justice of the Calcutta High Court as well as Supreme Court judge conversant with the affairs of the Manipur High Court.
The resolution also revealed that Justice Muralidharan’s transfer has been recommended despite the judge’s request to either transfer him to his parent high court, i.e., the Madras High Court, or allow him to continue functioning at the Manipur High Court.
Meanwhile, Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui on Monday assumed charge of the office of the Judge of the Manipur High Court.
The same was in pursuance of the Government of India’s Notification dated October 13, 2023 issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Justice), stated Manipur HC in a notice.
All Manipur Nupi Marup, in a release on Monday congratulated Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui on being appointed as the first tribal woman judge of the Manipur High Court. It also urged the authorities concerned to fill up the vacancy of Judges in Manipur HC at the earliest.
It praised Golmei for her previous endeavours as a Judicial Officer, adding that she is well equipped with legal skills. It maintained that her appointment as a judge of the Manipur HC is a pride for the entire womenfolk of the state.
It also expressed belief that her leadership will bring forth justice to the cases of crimes against women and children in the state. Mention may be made that Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui was appointed as a judge of the Manipur HC, in an order issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Friday.
The name of Judicial Officer Golmei was recommended for appointment as a judge by the Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on January 10 this year.
