New Delhi, Aug 29 (UNI) In a Full Court Ceremony held at 10:30 am today, Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai administered the oath of office to Justice Alok Aradhe, former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, and Justice Vipul Pancholi, former Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, as Judges of the Supreme Court.
The union Government cleared their appointments on August 27, following the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation on August 25. With these appointments, the apex court has once again reached its sanctioned strength of 34 judges.
Justice Vipul Pancholi, who hails from the Gujarat High Court and later served as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court from July 2025, is in line to become the Chief Justice of India from October 2031 to May 2033, based on seniority.
His elevation drew attention after reports suggested that Justice B.V. Nagarathna had expressed dissent during the Collegium’s deliberations.
Justice Pancholi will serve in the Supreme Court until May 28, 2033.
Justice Alok Aradhe began his judicial career with the Madhya Pradesh High Court and subsequently served in the Karnataka High Court and the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
He later became the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court before being elevated as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. At the Supreme Court, his tenure will continue until April 13, 2029.
