SC Collegium recommends repatriation of Justice Reddy, Justice Lalitha, Justice Sumalatha back to Telangana

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the transfer of 21 judges across various High Courts in the country.

The five-member Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai, has submitted its proposal to the Union Government for final approval.

Among the key transfers, three judges with previous association with the Telangana High Court — Justice Abhishek Reddy, Justice Kanneganti Lalitha, and Justice Chillakur Sumalatha — are being transferred back to the state.

Justice Abhishek Reddy is currently serving in the Patna High Court, while Justices Lalitha and Sumalatha are stationed in the Karnataka High Court. All three had earlier served in either the Telangana or Andhra Pradesh High Courts.

In another major development, Justice Sujoy Paul, presently serving as the Acting Chief Justice, is recommended for transfer to the Calcutta High Court.

Additionally, Justice Battu Devanand, currently at the Madras High Court, is proposed to be moved to the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The Collegium has also reportedly recommended the transfer of Justice Apresh Kumar Singh, Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court, to serve as the Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.

Following these changes, the Telangana High Court, which currently has 29 judges, including the Acting Chief Justice, will see its strength rise to 31. However, 11 judicial positions will remain vacant even after the new appointments.

The large-scale reshuffle underscores the Collegium’s continuing efforts to maintain judicial balance and efficiency across the country’s High Courts, according to judicial experts.