Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Justice D. Krishnakumar as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court

The Supreme Court on Monday recommended the appointment of Justice D. Krishnakumar, a judge of the Madras High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. His appointment is set to follow the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Siddharth Mridul, on November 21, 2024. The Collegium’s proposal has now been sent to the Union government for approval and formal notification.

The recommendation was made by the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, alongside Justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant. The collegium’s decision comes in light of the imminent retirement of Justice Mridul and aligns with the process for selecting chief justices, which prioritizes seniority, merit, and integrity.

According to the Collegium’s resolution, "Mr. Justice D. Krishnakumar was appointed as a Judge of the Madras High Court on 7th April 2016 and is due to retire on 21st May 2025. He is the senior-most puisne Judge in his parent High Court and belongs to a Backward Community." The resolution highlights his extensive experience in civil, constitutional, and service law, with a particular specialization in constitutional matters. The Collegium described him as "a competent judge with a sound legal acumen" and praised his "high level of integrity and honesty."

Justice Krishnakumar’s elevation to the position of Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court will ensure fair representation from the Madras High Court, which currently has only one chief justice among the country’s 25 high courts. His tenure will be relatively short, given his upcoming retirement in May 2025. The Collegium's recommendation also noted that Justice Krishnakumar’s appointment is in accordance with the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing the selection of chief justices. The MoP emphasizes the importance of seniority, merit, and integrity in such appointments.

This move comes at a particularly challenging time for Manipur, as the northeastern state continues to grapple with severe unrest. Since May 2023, Manipur has been engulfed in violent clashes, and the situation has remained volatile in recent months.