Supreme Court Collegium offers Five Judicial Officers to be Appointed as Judges in Madhya Pradesh HC

Supreme Court Collegium Clears Promotion Of Five Madhya Pradesh Judicial Officers

For the first time, the Supreme Court Collegium, which convened on July 2, 2025, cleared the elevation of five senior judicial officials to the bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. They are appointments at the right time while the judiciary continues to work towards making the bench more efficient and clearing pending cases in one of India’s most populous High Courts .Supreme Court Collegium Clears Promotion Of Five Madhya Pradesh Judicial Officers

Shri Rajesh Kumar Gupta: A Ujjain Judiciary Veteran

Shri Rajesh Kumar Gupta is currently working as Principal District and Sessions Judge of Ujjain. He was born on 15th August, 1965 and is enrolled on 19th June, 1990 in Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services. He has served in various significant judicial postings in the state for the past 35 years.He is famous for his commitment to justice and knowledge in the law of crimes, and has had the onus of presiding over numerous high-profile cases in his career. His calm judicial demeanor and unimpeachable record of service have earned him the respect of an esteemed member of the fraternity of attorneys of the state.

Shri Alok Awasthi: Judicial Leadership from Jabalpur

Shri Alok Awasthi is Principal District and Sessions Judge, Jabalpur, one of the most important judicial districts of Madhya Pradesh. His career in judicial services stretches over decades, and he has been working in senior roles in several districts.Though his education is less popular to the general world, it is well known that he has received intense judicial training and has been sharp with legal understanding in service law, criminal, and civil jurisprudence. The contribution of Awasthi in institutionalizing case management and pendency in Jabalpur is much appreciated among colleagues.

Shri Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen: Sitting Over Satna with Judicial Acumen

Shri Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen is acting as Principal District and Sessions Judge, Satna. He has had the experience of conducting sensitive criminal trials, such as narcotics cases, property disputes, and gender violence cases. Renowned for his scrupulous court conduct and in-depth legal reasoning, Bisen has earned the trust of the bar and the bench alike. While much of his academic history is not disclosed, his on-court performance and extensive procedural knowledge have been the major factors for his High Court nomination.

Shri Bhagwati Prasad Sharma: Supervisory Function within Gwalior Zone

Shri Bhagwati Prasad Sharma is an important position holder as Principal District Judge (Inspection) of the Gwalior circle. He was born on October 4, 1968, and was appointed in the Madhya Pradesh Judicial Services on May 24, 1994. Currently, his duty is to oversee court inspections, monitoring judicial efficiency, and guiding junior officers within his circle. Sharma is known for his procedural propriety and promoting accountability in the judiciary. His vast knowledge of administrative law and dedication to securing ethical governance in judiciary activities have earned him a place as a best-in-class officer.

Shri Pradeep Mittal: Champion of Access to Justice

Shri Pradeep Mittal is presently the Member Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (MPSLSA) with its headquarter at Jabalpur. He was born on 23rd July, 1967 and started his professional career in the legal domain after getting enrolled as an advocate in 1989 and subsequently on securing appointment on the judiciary on 24th May, 1994

Collegium’s Move: Planning for Continuity and Consolidation in the High Court

The decision of Collegium to promote these five judicial officers is not only a reward to individual merit but also a tactical step towards strengthening the Madhya Pradesh High Court with judges possessing vast hands-on experience from the lower judiciary. Their choice reinforces the Collegium’s strategy of tapping experienced hands within the system to plug holes in key positions. The judges are to be formally appointed after being cleared by the President of India and would administer their oaths in the High Court of Jabalpur.

Implications of the Appointments

These appointments are made at a time when the Madhya Pradesh High Court has a serious pendency of cases. The addition of five senior judges will be a relief to the workload and make the Court streamlined to deliver quick justice more effectively. Apart from that, the judges with their years of experience in the trial courts acquire practical insight into grass-root judicial issues, procedural niceties, and district-level administration relations.

Their choices are also consistent with the judiciary’s emphasis on merit and integrity. All five officers have a clean career record and have rendered valuable service to legal education, development of court buildings, and judicial training schemes in their individual states.

Conclusion

The Collegium’s advice of appointment of Rajesh Kumar Gupta, Alok Awasthi, Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen, Bhagwati Prasad Sharma, and Pradeep Mittal as judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is an appreciable move towards judicial efficiency and justice delivery in the state. These officers possess three decades of collective experience and are most apt to infuse credibility, continuity, and competence in the High Court’s bench. Their height speaks of the discipline, labor, and legal intellect of India’s judiciary.

References:

1. Supreme Court Collegium Resolutions (July 2025)High Court of Madhya Pradesh Official Website
2. District Court Portals – Jabalpur, Satna, Ujjain
3. Legal News Reports
4. MPSLSA – Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority