The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, currently a judge at the Karnataka High Court, as the new Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. This decision comes as the current Chief Justice, D Krishnakumar, is set to retire on May 21, 2025.
The collegium, a three-member body led by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, convened on May 15, 2025, to discuss this significant elevation. In an official statement, the collegium expressed, “The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on May 15, 2025, has recommended the appointment of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, Judge, High Court of Karnataka, as the Chief Justice of High Court of Manipur, consequent upon the retirement of Justice D Krishnakumar on May 21, 2025.”
Justice Somashekar’s appointment is pending formal approval from the President of India, marking an anticipated transition in the leadership of the Manipur High Court. Meanwhile, developments are also underway in Manipur, with Kangpokpi preparing for a major civil defense drill named “Operation Abhyaas” on May 17.
