Supreme Court Collegium: Ajay Sharma Bombay High Court Judge Recommendation Cleared

• The Supreme Court Collegium recommended two individuals for appointment as judges to the Bombay High Court.
• The recommendations were approved during a Collegium meeting held on October 26, 2026.
• Ajay Sharma, a judicial member of CESTAT in Mumbai, and Vaibhav Anant Sugdare, a practicing advocate, are the recommended candidates.
• If approved by the Central government, the Bombay High Court's working strength will rise to 77 judges.
• Ajay Sharma's background from CESTAT could bring specialized expertise to the High Court's bench.

Lawyers practicing before the Bombay High Court should note the impending increase in judicial strength and the background of the new appointees, particularly Ajay Sharma's experience from CESTAT, which may inform his perspective on tax and appellate matters.

The Supreme Court Collegium has put forward two names for appointment as judges to the Bombay High Court. This significant decision was made during a Collegium meeting held on October 26, 2026, where the proposal for these elevations was formally cleared.

The recommendations include an individual currently serving as a judicial member of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Mumbai, alongside a practicing advocate. These selections aim to bolster the judicial capacity of one of India's prominent High Courts, addressing its operational requirements.

The two individuals whose names have been recommended for elevation to the Bombay High Court are Ajay Sharma and Vaibhav Anant Sugdare. Ajay Sharma currently holds the position of a judicial member at the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) in Mumbai, bringing specialized experience from the appellate tribunal system.

Vaibhav Anant Sugdare, the second recommended candidate, is a practicing advocate. His appointment would represent a direct transition from the bar to the bench, a common pathway for judicial appointments in India. Both recommendations highlight the Supreme Court Collegium's ongoing efforts in Indian judicial appointments for 2026 to fill vacancies and enhance the judiciary's functional strength.

Should these recommendations receive clearance from the Central government, the working strength of the Bombay High Court is projected to increase to 77 judges. This augmentation in judicial strength is crucial for managing the court's extensive caseload and ensuring timely dispensation of justice.

The elevation of a CESTAT judicial member, Ajay Sharma, to the Bombay High Court bench is particularly noteworthy. His background in customs, excise, and service tax matters could bring a specialized perspective to the High Court, potentially influencing the approach to cases within these complex areas. Lawyers practicing before the Bombay High Court should note the impending increase in judicial strength and the background of the new appointees, particularly Ajay Sharma's experience from CESTAT, which may inform his perspective on tax and appellate matters.

Lawyers practicing before the Bombay High Court should note the impending increase in judicial strength and the background of the new appointees, particularly Ajay Sharma's experience from CESTAT, which may inform his perspective on tax and appellate matters. This could impact case assignments and judicial approaches in relevant areas.

Source: Original reporting via legal news source