In a significant development for the Indian judiciary, the President of India has approved the appointment of Justice Mahesh Chandra (M.C.) Tripathi as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
The appointments come pursuant to recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium and are expected to strengthen judicial administration in two of the country's most prominent constitutional courts. The Bombay and Calcutta High Courts hold historic importance within India's judicial framework and handle a substantial volume of constitutional, civil, criminal, and commercial matters.
Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge, who had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court since June 2026, has now been elevated as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. A senior judge of the Bombay High Court, Justice Ghuge has extensive experience in labour, service, and constitutional matters and has been part of the Bombay High Court bench since 2013.
Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi, one of the senior-most judges of the Allahabad High Court, has been appointed as the 50th Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. Having practised extensively in civil law and served in various judicial capacities, Justice Tripathi brings considerable judicial and administrative experience to his new role.
The appointments are expected to ensure continuity in judicial leadership and improve administrative efficiency in both High Courts. The development also follows concerns regarding vacancies in Chief Justice positions across several High Courts, with the Collegium recently recommending appointments to address the leadership gap.
These appointments reflect the ongoing efforts of the judiciary and the executive to maintain institutional stability and effective court administration across India's High Courts.