Justice Vipul Pancholi Recommended for Supreme Court Judgeship; May Become CJI in Future

New Delhi: Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi are set to become judges of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, recommended their elevation on Monday.

The five-member Collegium also includes Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, J.K. Maheshwari, and B.V. Nagarathna. Following its meeting, the Collegium uploaded the recommendation on the Supreme Court’s official website.

Justice Pancholi is in line to become the Chief Justice of India for around 16 months in May 2031, after the retirement of Justice Joymalya Bagchi. With the Centre’s approval of these appointments, the Supreme Court will function at its full sanctioned strength of 34 judges.

Born on May 28, 1968, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Justice Pancholi enrolled as an advocate in September 1991 and began his practice at the Gujarat High Court. He was transferred to the Patna High Court in July 2023, where he took oath as a judge. In July 2025, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. If elevated to the Supreme Court, he will retire as CJI on May 27, 2033. DeshGujarat