These appointments, which were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium on July 11 and approved by the Union government on July 16, represent major milestones in the distinguished careers of both judges.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh, the first Supreme Court judge from Manipur, has had an illustrious journey. Born on March 1, 1963, in Imphal, he is the son of the late Justice N Ibotombi Singh of the Gauhati High Court and N Gomati Devi. Justice Singh served as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court since February 2023. His career includes significant roles such as an additional judge of the Gauhati High Court in 2011 and a permanent judge in 2012. He also served as a judge of the Manipur High Court before being transferred back to the Gauhati High Court in 2018.
Justice Singh began his legal career practicing before the Supreme Court of India, later moving to the Gauhati High Court where he was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2008. His extensive experience spans civil, criminal, and writ law, with a specialization in indirect taxes, customs, and central excise matters.
Justice R Mahadevan, who had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court since May 2024, also brings a rich background to the Supreme Court. A graduate of Madras Law College, he enrolled as a lawyer in 1989. Over a 25-year career, Justice Mahadevan has specialized in civil, criminal, and writ cases, particularly in indirect taxes, customs, and central excise. He has held roles as Additional Government Pleader (Taxes) for the Government of Tamil Nadu, and Additional Central Government Standing Counsel and Senior Panel Counsel for the Government of India at the Madras High Court. He was elevated to the Madras High Court as a judge in 2013.
Looking ahead, the Supreme Court is set to experience more changes with the upcoming retirements of Justice Hira Kohli on September 1 and Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on November 10, 2024.
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