Two judges took over in the Supreme Court on Friday (August 29, 2025). Chief Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gawai administered the oath of office to Justice Alok Arahe and Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi. Till now, 2 of the 34 posts sanctioned for judges in the Supreme Court were vacant. After these appointments all the posts are filled.
Justice Alok Aradhe was still the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. He is originally from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. At the same time, Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi was the Chief Justice of Patna High Court. His original High Court is Gujarat. Justice Pancholi is likely to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the future. He can become Chief Justice on 3 October 2031 after Justice Joymalya Bagchi retires and his term will be till 27 May 2032.
The appointment of Justice Pancholi among the two judges was in some controversy as Justice BV Nagratna, a member of the collegium, disagreed. One of the things that Justice Nagaratna disagreed was regional imbalance. He said that Justice JB Pardiwala, a judge of the Gujarat High Court, is already a judge in the Supreme Court. Justice Pardiwala will also become Chief Justice in future.
Justice Nagaratna also cited the high court judges in the seniority order of Justice Pancholi. His objection was also on the fact that after ignoring many senior and qualified women judges, the recommendation of the name of Justice Pancholi is being sent. Justice Nagratna also raised the issue of controversy before Justice Pancholi transferred to Patna High Court from Gujarat in 2023.