Supreme Court collegium approves recommendations for 12 Madhya Pradesh High Court judges

The Supreme Court collegium approved recommendations for 12 appointments to the Madhya Pradesh High Court in two meetings during the week ending 30 October 2026. Five judicial officers were recommended on Friday, while seven advocates were recommended at a meeting on Monday, 26 October. These are recommendations, not completed appointments.

Names and sanctioned strength

The five judicial officers are Renuka Kanchan, Krishnamurti Mishra, Virendra Singh Rajput, Mamala Jain and Ashit Shrivastava. The seven advocates are Vivek Sharan, Rajesh Kumar Shukla, Kanak Gaharwar (also known as Kanak Lata Singh), Bhakti Vyas, Shreyas Pandit, Mrinal Alkar (also known as Mrinal Majumdar) and Avinash Jargar.

The High Court has 53 sanctioned judgeships, of which 38 were occupied at the time. The report projects 50 judges if the recommendations are approved, but also states that two vacancies would remain. These figures do not reconcile: 53 sanctioned posts minus 50 judges would leave three vacancies.

Important Facts for Exams

• Letters Patent origin: The Madhya Pradesh High Court originated as the Nagpur High Court under the Government of India Act, 1935.
• Statutory succession: In 1956, the Nagpur High Court was not abolished; it was legally deemed the High Court for the new Madhya Pradesh, seated at Jabalpur.
• Permanent benches: The Indore and Gwalior benches began as temporary benches in 1956 and became permanent in November 1968.