New Delhi: The Centre has cleared the names of five new Supreme Court judges on Saturday. These names were recommended by the Collegium on December 13, 2022.

The strength of Supreme Court judges will go up to 32 judges once the new judges take oath early next week

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the appointment of Justice Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court; Justice Sanjay Karol, Chief Justice, Patna High Court; Justice P V Sanjay Kumar, Chief Justice, Manipur High Court; Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah of Patna High Court; and Justice Manoj Misra of Allahabad High Court as apex court judges.

The strength of Supreme Court judges will go up to 32 judges once the new judges take oath early next week.

Currently, the apex court has a total of 27 judges, including the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. The sanctioned strength of top court, including the CJI, is 34.

The appointment of new judges comes amidst the tussle between the judiciary and the government. Earlier, the apex court made strong objections questioning the delay reportedly caused by the government in the appointment and transfer of judges following the recommendations of the Supreme Court Collegium.

A senior government official said the appointment of new judges have nothing to do with the top court’s observation. The official said the move was taken after a considered decision, said sources.

The government and judiciary have been locked in a tussle as the government wanted to have a say in the appointment of judges.

Earlier, Kiren Rijiju wrote a letter to CJI Chandrachud and suggested that a government nominee be there in the decision-making process for shortlisting of judges. The move was slammed by Opposition who alleged that the government wants to ‘intimidate’ and control the judiciary.