Yesterday, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended three advocates for elevation as judges of the Bombay High Court.

The three advocates recommended are:

1. Shailesh Pramod Brahme;

2. Firdosh Phiroze Pooniwalla; and

3. Jitendra Shantilal Jain.

Earlier, the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court made the recommendation for the elevation of these three lawyers on September 26, 2022.

Now, the file concerning these recommendations was forwarded by the Department of Justice to the Supreme Court.

Further, the Collegium noted that the Chief Ministers and the Governors of the States of Maharashtra and Goa have concurred with the recommendations.

Advocate Shailesh Pramod Brahme was recommended on noting that he is a competent lawyer with around 30 years of practice in civil, criminal, constitutional and service law cases. 

Another, advocate Jitendra Shantilal Jain, the Collegium noted that he has practised law for over 25 years with a specialization in tax litigation. The Intelligence Bureau flagged some issues regarding his work in the chamber of another senior lawyer 20 years ago. However, on enquiry, the collegium said that the fact that Jain left the chamber of a senior has no bearing on his ability, competence or integrity.

Talking about Firdosh Phiroze Pooniwalla, the court highlighted that he has a good personal and professional image, another advocate he used to work under had written an article published in 2020 expressing concerns over the alleged lack of freedom of speech/expression in the country in the last 5-6 years. 

The Bombay High Court is currently functioning with 65 judges as opposed to its sanctioned strength of 94 judges.