New Delhi: Following the retirement of Justice (Retd.) Ashok Bhushan as Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Central Government is moving quickly to ensure continuity in the functioning of the country’s apex corporate appellate tribunal.
According to sources, Justice Yogesh Khanna, currently serving as a Judicial Member of the NCLAT, is likely to be entrusted with the additional charge of Acting Chairperson on an interim basis until a regular appointment is made. The move is aimed at preventing any disruption in the tribunal’s day-to-day judicial and administrative functioning.
Justice Ashok Bhushan Retires After Completing Tenure
Justice (Retd.) Ashok Bhushan demitted office as the Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal on July 4, 2026, after completing his tenure and attaining the statutory upper age limit of 70 years.
A former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice Bhushan assumed charge as the NCLAT Chairperson in November 2021, shortly after his retirement from the apex court.
During his tenure, he presided over several landmark insolvency, corporate governance and competition law matters under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), Companies Act and Competition Act.
His retirement has created a leadership vacancy at one of India’s most important judicial tribunals dealing with corporate disputes.
Read also: Supreme Court Appoints Justice B.V. Nagarathna as SCLSC Chairperson Effective June 29
Justice Yogesh Khanna Likely to Be Given Interim Charge
Sources indicate that the Centre is considering assigning Justice Yogesh Khanna the additional charge of Acting Chairperson until a regular Chairperson is appointed.
The interim arrangement is expected to ensure uninterrupted judicial functioning, timely disposal of cases and smooth administrative management at the tribunal.
An official announcement is expected shortly.
Who Is Justice Yogesh Khanna?
Justice Yogesh Khanna is a distinguished jurist and former Judge of the Delhi High Court.
Following his retirement from the High Court, he was appointed as a Judicial Member of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on February 19, 2024.
He is presently heading Court-II at the Principal Bench of the NCLAT in New Delhi, where he hears appeals arising under various corporate and insolvency laws.
Over his judicial career, Justice Khanna has earned a reputation for handling complex commercial litigation, corporate disputes and constitutional matters.
Role of the NCLAT
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal is India’s apex appellate body for matters relating to:
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
- Companies Act
- Competition Act
- Corporate restructuring
- Insolvency resolution
- Corporate governance disputes
The tribunal hears appeals against the orders of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and also functions as the appellate authority for certain decisions of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Given the increasing volume of insolvency and corporate litigation in India, the position of Chairperson is considered one of the most significant judicial appointments in the country’s commercial justice system.
Interim Arrangement to Ensure Continuity
With Justice Ashok Bhushan’s retirement, the Centre appears keen to avoid any administrative vacuum at the tribunal.
Appointing an existing Judicial Member as Acting Chairperson is a common interim arrangement until the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) clears a regular appointment.
Justice Yogesh Khanna’s experience as a former Delhi High Court judge and his ongoing role at the NCLAT make him one of the most suitable candidates for the interim responsibility.
While the arrangement is expected to be temporary, it will ensure that hearings, judicial work and administrative decisions continue without interruption until the government finalises the appointment of a full-time Chairperson.
