Mumbai: The Central Government on August 13 approved the appointment of three senior advocates as Additional Judges of the Bombay High Court, acting on the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation issued last month.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal announced the decision on social media platform X. The newly appointed judges are Advocate Ajit Bhagwanrao Kadethankar, Advocate Aarti Arun Sathe, and Advocate Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar.
Appointments Amid Heavy Vacancy Load
The Bombay High Court, with jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, currently functions with 66 judges against its sanctioned strength of 94. This leaves 28 positions vacant, a shortfall affecting its capacity to address its heavy backlog of cases.
The Court, among the oldest in India, has delivered landmark judgments for over 160 years, holding a pivotal role in upholding justice across the region. The new appointments aim to strengthen its judicial capacity.
Advocate Aarti Arun Sathe: Tax Law Expert with Political Past
With more than two decades of legal experience, Advocate Sathe has specialised in complex direct and indirect tax disputes, as well as matrimonial law cases before the Bombay High Court. She has represented clients before SEBI, SAT, and CESTAT.
A postgraduate in constitutional and administrative law from the University of Mumbai, she is also a UK-qualified solicitor. Sathe served briefly as a BJP spokesperson and headed the Mumbai BJP’s legal cell before resigning from the party in January 2024.
Her lineage is deeply rooted in law and politics—her father, Arun Sathe, is a senior taxation counsel and founding BJP national executive member; her aunt, Sumitra Mahajan, is a former Lok Sabha Speaker; and her grandfather, P.N. Sathe, was a notable RSS figure and lawyer.
Her appointment has sparked political debate, with opposition parties questioning her past political role. BJP leaders maintain that her resignation preceded the recommendation and that her elevation is based on merit.
Advocate Sushil Manohar Ghodeswar: Veteran of the Nagpur Bench
Ghodeswar began his legal practice in 1998 after graduating from Dr. Ambedkar Law College, RTMNU. He trained under Justice Nitin Sambre at the Nagpur Bench, handling civil, criminal, revenue, and constitutional matters.
In 2013, he served as Assistant Government Pleader before resuming independent practice at the Nagpur Bench. He belongs to a distinguished legal family—his father, Justice Manohar Ghodeswar, is a former Acting Chief Justice of Maharashtra. His appointment has been warmly welcomed by Nagpur’s legal fraternity, with the High Court Bar Association expressing pride in his elevation.
Advocate Ajit Bhagwanrao Kadethankar: Low-Profile Practitioner Elevated
While public details on Kadethankar’s career remain limited, his name was among those recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointment. Case records show his appearances in varied matters before the Bombay High Court. His elevation underscores the Collegium’s consideration of professional track record beyond public visibility.
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