Six New Judges Join Delhi High Court, Strength Rises to 40

Six new judges, including Justices V Kameswar Rao, Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Vivek Chaudhary, Anil Kshetrapal, Arun Kumar Monga, and Om Prakash Shukla, took oath of office at the Delhi High Court, increasing its strength to 40. The sanctioned strength of the high court is 60. The new judges were administered the oath by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.

Delhi High Court's strength has been bolstered with the addition of six new judges, increasing its effective number to 40. The sanctioned strength of the high court is 60. The new judges were administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya on Monday, July 21, 2025 [1].

Among the new judges are Justice V Kameswar Rao, who was repatriated to Delhi from the Karnataka High Court, and Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, who was transferred from the Bombay High Court. Justice Vivek Chaudhary and Justice Om Prakash Shukla were serving at the Allahabad High Court, while Justice Anil Kshetrapal was in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Justice Arun Kumar Monga was in the Rajasthan High Court [1][2][3][4].

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the transfers, which were cleared by the Central government last week. The addition of these judges has led to a significant reshuffling in the high court's administrative and judicial structure, as well as its collegium [3].

The new judges have also contributed to an increase in the number of judges handling criminal cases, from eight to nine, and the number of division benches, from six to eight. This will enhance the court's capacity to manage its caseload more efficiently [3].

The reshuffling has also resulted in a change in the high court's collegium, which now comprises Chief Justice Upadhyaya and Justices Rao and Sambre, who are senior to Justice Prathiba M Singh [3].

References:
[1] https://www.barandbench.com/news/six-take-oath-as-delhi-high-court-judges
[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-high-courts-six-new-judges-to-take-oath-on-monday/articleshow/122794418.cms
[3] https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/six-new-delhi-high-court-judges-take-oath-hc-at-full-strength-of-40-101753079073096.html
[4] https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/delhi-hc-gets-six-new-judges-effective-strength-now-40-2025-07-21-999799