4 SC judges sworn in

New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) — Four judges to the Supreme Court were today administered oath of office by Chief Justice of India A. S. Anand, taking the total number judges in the apex court to 22 as against the sanctioned strength of 26.

Mr Justice Manoharlal Bhikalal Shah, Mr Justice Deba Priya Mohapatra, Mr Justice Umesh Chandra Banerjee and Mr Justice Ramesh Chandra Lahoti took oath in the Chief Justice’s court in a 15-minute ceremony attended by all 18 sitting judges.

Among others who attended the oath ceremony were Attorney-General Soli Sorabjee, Solicitor General Santosh N. Hegde, all Additional Solicitor-Generals, former Attorney-Generals, senior advocates and lawyers.

Mr Justice Shah, Mr Justice Mohapatra and Mr Justice Banerjee before assuming office in the Supreme Court were holding the offices of Chief Justice in the high courts of Mumbai, Allahabad and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.

Mr Justice Lahoti was elevated to the Supreme Court from the Delhi High Court where he was a puisne judge.

These were the first appointments after the apex court gave its opinion on nine queries raised by the President in his reference on the consultation process involving judges’ appointment to the Supreme Court and high courts.