Delhi High Court Bolsters Bench with Six New Judges, Reaching 40-Judge Strength

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The Delhi High Court significantly increased its judicial capacity on Monday, July 21, 2025, with the swearing-in of six new judges. This crucial addition brings the court’s working strength to 40 judges, a welcome boost for a judiciary often grappling with a substantial caseload, though still falling short of its sanctioned strength.

Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya administered the oath of office to the new appointees in a ceremony held at the High Court premises. The six judges, all transferred from various other High Courts across India, include Justice V. Kameswar Rao, Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Justice Vivek Chaudhary, Justice Anil Kshetarpal, Justice Arun Kumar Monga, and Justice Om Prakash Shukla. Their transfers were officially notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice last week, following recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium.

The new appointments are expected to alleviate some of the pressure on the Delhi High Court, which has a sanctioned strength of 60 judges. While the addition of these six judges marks a positive step towards bridging this gap, the court still operates with a considerable number of vacancies. The Delhi High Court plays a pivotal role in the national capital’s legal landscape, handling a diverse array of civil, criminal, and constitutional matters.

Among the newly sworn-in judges, Justice V. Kameswar Rao returns to the Delhi High Court, marking a homecoming after a brief stint at the Karnataka High Court. He had previously served for over 11 years on the Delhi bench before his transfer in May 2024. Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre joins from the Bombay High Court, while Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Om Prakash Shukla were transferred from the Allahabad High Court. Justice Anil Kshetarpal comes from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Arun Kumar Monga from the Rajasthan High Court.

The infusion of these experienced legal minds is anticipated to not only expedite case disposal rates but also lead to a notable reshuffling within the court’s administrative and judicial structure. For instance, the High Court Collegium, which recommends names for High Court judges to the Supreme Court Collegium, will see a reconstitution. With the recent elevation of Justice Vibhu Bakhru as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, the collegium will now comprise Chief Justice Upadhyaya, along with Justices V. Kameswar Rao and Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, who are now senior to Justice Prathiba M. Singh.

The increase in the number of judges is also expected to allow for the expansion of Division Benches (typically comprising one senior and one junior judge), enhancing the court’s capacity to hear a broader range of cases. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s judicial system and ensure more efficient delivery of justice, particularly in high-volume metropolitan courts like the Delhi High Court.