Madras High Court: Lingeswaran, Karthikeyan Named Additional Judges

• The Central government appointed Dharmalingam Lingeswaran and Balathandayutham Karthikeyan as additional judges to the Madras High Court on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
• Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced these appointments on X.
• The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended their elevation on May 18, 2026, nearly five months prior to the government's notification.
• Their names were part of a larger proposal from November 4, 2025, which included 19 candidates for the Madras High Court.
• Lingeswaran and Karthikeyan were not among the 15 names previously cleared by the government in August 2026 from the Collegium's recommendations.

Lawyers practicing in the Madras High Court should note the appointment of these two new additional judges, as their presence will alter the composition of the bench and may influence future case assignments and judicial perspectives within the court.

The Central government has officially confirmed the elevation of two judicial officers, Dharmalingam Lingeswaran and Balathandayutham Karthikeyan, to serve as additional judges on the Madras High Court. This significant development was formally announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, marking a key addition to the court's judicial strength. The appointments of Madras High Court additional judges Lingeswaran Karthikeyan were publicly shared by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal via a post on X.

The notification specifies that these appointments were made by the President, exercising powers granted by the Constitution of India, and followed consultation with the Chief Justice of India. The formalization of the Dharmalingam Lingeswaran appointment and the Balathandayutham Karthikeyan appointment addresses a long-standing recommendation for their elevation to the High Court bench.

The path to these Madras High Court new appointments involved a detailed recommendation process led by the Supreme Court Collegium. The Collegium had initially recommended the elevation of these two judicial officers on May 18, 2026. Their names were part of a broader proposal, dated November 4, 2025, which sought to appoint a total of 19 individuals to the Madras High Court, comprising nine judicial officers and ten advocates.

While the Supreme Court Collegium recommendations encompassed a total of 19 candidates, the Central government had previously cleared only 15 of these names on August 7, 2026. Notably, Lingeswaran and Karthikeyan were not included in that initial tranche of appointments. Their current elevation as additional judges comes nearly five months after the Collegium's initial recommendation, highlighting the multi-stage nature of judicial officers elevation in India and the time often taken for government approval following Collegium recommendations.

The induction of Dharmalingam Lingeswaran and Balathandayutham Karthikeyan as additional judges is a notable event for the Madras High Court. These new additions contribute to the court's judicial capacity, potentially aiding in the management of its caseload and the timely dispensation of justice. The Central government's decision to appoint these two judicial officers reinforces the ongoing process of strengthening the judiciary across various High Courts.

Lawyers practicing in the Madras High Court should note the appointment of these two new additional judges, as their presence will alter the composition of the bench and may influence future case assignments and judicial perspectives within the court. Their experience as judicial officers is expected to bring valuable insights to the High Court's proceedings, shaping the legal landscape for litigants and practitioners alike.

Lawyers practicing in the Madras High Court should note the appointment of these two new additional judges, as their presence will alter the composition of the bench and may influence future case assignments and judicial perspectives within the court.

Source: Information derived from official government notifications.