Collegium recommends elevation of advocates Soubhik Mitter, Sakya Sen as Calcutta High Court Judges

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the elevation of two lawyers as Judges of the Calcutta High Court.

Two statements were issued to this effect following a meeting on October 8, approving the appointment of advocates Soubhik Mitter and Sakya Sen as High Court judges.

Notably, the name of Sakya Sen has been recommended by the Collegium for appointment as a High Court judge twice before.

Sen was first recommended for elevation as a High Court Judge in 2017 while relaxing the age criterion of 45 years.

The resolution passed on December 4, 2017, stated that Sen's name was recommended by the High Court Collegium considering his ability and performance in the Court and the shortage of Judges from the Bar.

The Supreme Court Collegium, therefore, relaxed the age criterion. Its 2017 resolution stated,

“In the case of Shri Sakya Sen, we approve his name for elevation in relaxation of the age criterion.”

However, this proposal did not go through, with the Centre asking the Collegium to reconsider the same and the Collegium eventually remitting his name. Sen was again recommended for a second time in 2019 by the Supreme Court Collegium following a High Court Collegium recommendation in December 2018.

The latest statement marks the third time that Sakya Sen has been recommended for Judgeship.

[Read Collegium Statements]