On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium suggested that Justice Joymalya Bagchi, a judge from the Calcutta High Court, be appointed to the highest court. Justice Bagchi would be eligible to succeed Justice K.V. Viswanathan as Chief Justice of India in May 2031 if the government approves the proposal.
“After the retirement of Justice Altamas Kabir on July 18, 2013 as Chief Justice of India, there has not been any Chief Justice of India from the High Court at Calcutta. On the retirement of Justice K.V. Viswanathan on May 25, 2031, Justice Joymalya Bagchi would be in line to assume office as the Chief Justice of India till his retirement on October 2, 2031,” said the resolution of the Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
Before becoming the Chief Justice of India, Justice Bagchi would serve at the Supreme Court for more than six years. The Collegium also took into account the fact that Justice Dipankar Datta, the sole judge now serving on the Supreme Court bench, is a member of the Calcutta High Court.
On June 27, 2011, Justice Bagchi was appointed to the High Court of Calcutta. On January 4, 2021, he was moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. He has been working at the Calcutta High Court since November 8, 2021, when he was repatriated.
He has over 13 years of experience as a High Court judge. Justice Bagchi has gained substantial experience in a variety of legal areas over his lengthy term as a High Court judge, according to the Collegium. When considering the total seniority of all High Court judges in India, including Chief Justices, Justice Bagchi comes in at number eleven.
