New Delhi: In a long-awaited move, the Union Government has appointed Advocate Arun Kumar as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court, nearly two years after his initial recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 9, 2023.
The official appointment was notified by the Ministry of Law & Justice on September 1, 2025, and published in the Gazette of India the same day.
Collegium Delay and IB Inputs Slowed the Process
According to sources, the delay in Arun Kumar’s elevation was primarily due to initial reservations raised by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The Supreme Court Collegium reportedly deferred its decision pending further verification. However, when a subsequent IB report found no adverse material, the Collegium proceeded with its recommendation.
Despite that, the appointment remained stalled at the level of the executive for months, triggering renewed concerns over the pace of judicial appointments and pending vacancies in higher courts.
Relief for Allahabad HC Facing Staffing Crunch
The Allahabad High Court, one of the largest in the country, has been functioning with a significant number of vacant judgeships, contributing to case backlogs and delays. Advocate Arun Kumar’s elevation is expected to provide much-needed reinforcement to the Bench and may help improve case disposal rates.
Legal observers view the appointment as a positive step toward easing judicial delays and ensuring timely justice, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, which sees a high volume of litigation.
Background
- Name: Advocate Arun Kumar
- New Role: Judge, Allahabad High Court
- Recommended by: Supreme Court Collegium (May 9, 2023)
- Appointed by: Ministry of Law & Justice (Notified on September 1, 2025)
- Delay: Nearly 2 years due to intelligence input reviews and administrative hold-ups
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