SC collegium picks three city lawyers for HC judgeship

Nagpur: The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjay Chandrachud, has recommended three lawyers from Nagpur — Nivedita Mehta, Praful Khubalkar, and Rohit Joshi —for elevation as judges of the Bombay high court. The recommendations, also endorsed by justice Sanjiv Khanna and justice Bhushan Gavai, have been forwarded to the central govt for final approval.
Out of the five names proposed by the collegium, three belong to the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) in Nagpur, showcasing the city's increasing prominence in the legal arena.The other two lawyers on the list are Ashwin Bhobe from the Goa bench and Advait Sethna.
Nivedita Mehta, presently serving as an additional government pleader, has over 31 years of experience in legal practice, specializing in civil and constitutional law. She has represented various govt institutions and bodies, making substantial contributions to the state's legal landscape. For the past 11 years, she has been the face of the Maharashtra govt in numerous legal matters. Her extensive knowledge of the law and years of dedicated service make her an outstanding choice for the judiciary.
Praful Khubalkar, a former HCBA secretary with 27 years of experience, is a well-known figure in Nagpur's legal circles. He has been involved in many significant cases, especially in the PIL related to encroachments on the city's playgrounds. The collegium's recommendation also acknowledged Khubalkar's OBC background, emphasizing that his elevation would contribute to greater representation of the community in the higher judiciary, a vital factor in ensuring diversity and inclusion at the judicial level.
Rohit Joshi, with 26 years of practice, is another highly esteemed name in the legal fraternity. He has appeared in numerous high-profile cases, with 34 of them being reported in law journals. His remarkable work at the Nagpur bench has been recognized by Justice Bhushan Gavai of the Supreme Court, who cited Joshi's exceptional legal skills as a primary reason for his recommendation.
The selection of three lawyers from Nagpur in the collegium's recommendations is a significant achievement for the city's legal community and is anticipated to further strengthen the judiciary in Maharashtra, according to HCBA members who praised the decision.
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