Delhi High Court: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|High Court for NCT of Delhi}}
{{Short description|High Court in India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=October 2011}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2011}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox high court
{{Infobox high court
|court_name = Delhi High Court <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. --><br>दिल्ली उच्च न्यायालय
| court_name = Delhi High Court <!-- Please do not add any Indic script in this infobox, per WP:INDICSCRIPT policy. -->
|image =
| image =  
|imagesize =
| imagesize =  
|caption =
| caption =  
|established = 31 October 1966
| established = {{start date and age|df=yes|1966|10|31}}
|country = {{flagu|India}}
| jurisdiction = [[Delhi]]
|location = [[New Delhi]]
| location = Shershah Road, Justice SB Marg, New Delhi
|coordinates= {{coord|28.6090|N|77.2361|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|28.6090|N|77.2361|E|display=inline,title}}
|type = [[President of India|Presidential]] with [[advice and consent|confirmation]] of [[Chief Justice of India]]  
| type = [[President of India|Presidential]] with [[advice and consent|confirmation]] of [[Chief Justice of India]]
|website = [http://delhihighcourt.nic.in delhihighcourt.nic.in]
| website = [http://delhihighcourt.nic.in delhihighcourt.nic.in]
|chiefjudgetitle = [[Chief Justice]]
| chiefjudgetitle = [[Chief Justice]]
|chiefjudgename = [[Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel]]
| chiefjudgename = [[Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya]]
|termstart = 7 June 2019
| termstart = 21 January 2025
|termend =
}}
}}


The '''High Court of Delhi''' ([[IAST]]: ''dillī uchcha nyāyālaya'') was established on 31 October 1966. The [[High Courts of India|High Court]] of [[Delhi]] was established with four judges, including Chief Justice [[K. S. Hegde]], Justice I. D. Dua, Justice [[H. R. Khanna]] and Justice S. K. Kapur.<ref name="History - Delhi HC">{{cite web | url=http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/history.asp | title=History – Delhi HC | publisher=delhihighcourt.nic.in | access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> Presently, the High Court has a sanctioned strength of 45 permanent judges and 15 additional judges.<ref name="History - Delhi HC" />
The '''High Court of Delhi''' is the [[High courts of India|high court]] in [[Delhi]], India. It was established on 31 October 1966, through the ''Delhi High Court Act, 1966.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=History of the High Court of Delhi |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/history |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref> Below it are 11 Subordinate Courts that oversee smaller judicial districts. The court gets its powers from Chapter V in Part VI of the [[Constitution of India]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: what is the sources of powers of a High Court? |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
On , the High Court of Judicature at [[Lahore]] was established with jurisdiction over the provinces of [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]] and Delhi. This jurisdiction lasted until 1947 when [[Partition of India|India was partitioned]].
Established in 1919, the High Court of Judicature at [[Lahore]] exercised [[jurisdiction]] over the then provinces of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Delhi]]. This continued until the [[Indian Independence Act 1947]], establishing the dominions of [[India]] and [[Pakistan]].
 
On 15 August 1947 the High Courts (Punjab) Order, 1947 established a new High Court for the territory of what was then East Punjab. The India (Adaptation of Existing Indian Laws) Order, 1947 provided that any reference in an existing Indian law to the High Court of Judicature at Lahore, be replaced by a reference to the High Court of East Punjab.
 
The High Court of East Punjab started functioning from [[Shimla]] in a building called "[[Peterhoff, Shimla|Peterhoff]]". This building burnt down in January 1981.


The High Courts (Punjab) Order, 1947 established a new High Court for the province of [[East Punjab]] with effect from 15 August 1947.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/upload/CourtRules/CourtRuleFile_QJVZ1KVR.PDF|title=The High Courts (Punjab) Order, 1947) |website=Www.delhihighcourt.nic.in |access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> The [[India]] (Adaptation of Existing Indian Laws) Order, 1947 provided that any reference in existing Indian law to the High Court of Judicature at Lahore be replaced by a reference to the High Court of East Punjab.<ref name="History - Delhi HC"/>
When the Secretariat of the Punjab Government shifted to [[Chandigarh]] in 1954–55, the High Court also shifted to [[Chandigarh]]. The High Court of Punjab, as it is later came to be called, exercised jurisdiction over Delhi through a Circuit Bench which dealt with the cases pertaining to the [[Union Territory of Delhi]] and the Delhi Administration.


The High Court of East Punjab started functioning from [[Shimla]] in a building called "Peterhoff". This building burnt down in January 1981.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}
In view of the importance of Delhi, its population and other considerations, [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] thought it was necessary to establish a new High Court of Delhi. This was achieved by enacting the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 on 5 September 1966.


When the Secretariat of the Punjab Government shifted to Chandigarh in 1954–55, the High Court also shifted to [[Chandigarh]]. The High Court of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], as it later came to be called, exercised jurisdiction over Delhi through a Circuit Bench which dealt with the cases pertaining to the Union Territory of Delhi and the Delhi Administration.<ref name="History - Delhi HC"/>
The High Court of Delhi initially exercised jurisdiction not only over the Union Territory of Delhi, but also [[Himachal Pradesh]]. The High Court of Delhi had a Himachal Pradesh Bench at [[Shimla]] in a building called Ravenswood. The High Court of Delhi continued to exercise jurisdiction over Himachal Pradesh until the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 was enforced on 25 January 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=History of the Delhi High Court |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/history |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref>


In view of the importance of Delhi, its population and other considerations, the Indian Parliament, by enacting the ''Delhi High Court Act, 1966'', established the High Court of [[Delhi]] effective from 31 October 1966.<ref name="History - Delhi HC"/>
==Chief Justice and Judges==
The Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi is appointed by the [[President of India]], in consultation with the [[Chief Justice of India]]. During the appointment, the [[Chief Justice of India]] is required to consult with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. For all other High Courts in India, the Chief Justices are appointed by the [[President of India]], as provided under Article 217 of the Constitution, in consultation with the [[Chief Justice of India]] and the Governor of the State.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: How are Chief Justices of High Courts appointed? |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref> The Chief Justice is the senior-most sitting judge of the High Court in a State. Besides performing judicial functions, he/she also exercises administrative powers, as provided under Article 229 of the [[Constitution of India]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: What is the role of the Chief Justice of the High Court |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref>


By virtue of Section 3(1) of the Delhi High Court Act, the [[Central Government]] was empowered to appoint a date by notification in the official gazette, establishing a High Court for the Union Territory of Delhi. The appointed date was 31 October 1966.
The current [[Chief Justice]] of this court is Justice [[Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya]]. He was appointed on 21 January 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=Chief Justice (CJ) and Sitting Judges |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/judges/court/cj_sitting/current#:~:text=Chief%20Justice%20Manmohan-,Acting%20Chief%20Justice%20Manmohan,College%20of%20University%20of%20Delhi. |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref>


The High Court of Delhi initially exercised jurisdiction not only over the Union Territory of Delhi but also [[Himachal Pradesh]]. The High Court of Delhi had a Himachal Pradesh Bench at Shimla in a building called Ravenswood. The High Court of Delhi continued to exercise jurisdiction over Himachal Pradesh until the ''State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970'' came into force on 25 January 1971.<ref name="History - Delhi HC"/>
===Judges of the Delhi High Court===
The Judges of High Court of Delhi (other than the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court) are appointed by the [[President of India|President]] by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with the [[Chief Justice of India]], and on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi. The [[Chief Justice of India]] is required to consult with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the High Court is also required to consult his two senior-most puisne Judges before recommending a name for appointment to the High Court.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: How are judges appointed to the High Court of Delhi? |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref> The Judges of the Delhi High Court are guided by the code of ethics as stated in ''‘Restatement of Values of Judicial Life’'' adopted by [[Supreme Court of India|the Supreme Court of India]], vide its resolution dated 7 May 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: Is there a code of ethics for the High Court Judges? |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=5 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref>


==Current Judges of Delhi HC==  
Currently, the sanctioned strength of Judges of the High Court of Delhi is 45 permanent Judges and 15 Additional Judges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-21 |title=FAQs: How many judges, other than the Chief Justice, does the High Court of Delhi have? |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/court/faq?page=6 |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The High Court of Delhi}}</ref> Following is the list of sitting Judges of the High Court of Delhi:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/cjsittingjudges.asp |title=Chief Justice and sitting Judges of Delhi HC |work=High Court of Delhi }}</ref>
Following is the list of sitting Judges including Chief Justice of High Court of Delhi:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://delhihighcourt.nic.in/cjsittingjudges.asp |title=Chief Justice and sitting Judges of Delhi HC |work=High Court of Delhi }}</ref>
 
{{See also|List of sitting judges of the high courts of India#Delhi High Court}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width=40%
!Sr. No.!!Designation!!Name
|-
!1
|'''Chief Justice of Delhi HC'''
|[[Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel]]
|-
!2
|Justice
|Vipin Sanghi
|-
!3
|Justice
|Siddharth Mridul
|-
!4
|Justice
|Manmohan
|-
!5
|Justice
|Rajiv Sahai Endlaw
|-
!6
|Justice
|J.R. Midha
|-
!7
|Justice
|Rajiv Shakdher
|-
!8
|Justice
|Suresh Kumar Kait
|-
!9
|Justice
|[[Mukta Gupta]]
|-
!10
|Justice
|Jayant Nath
|-
!11
|Justice
|Najmi Wazir
|-
!12
|Justice
|Sanjeev Sachdva
|-
!13
|Justice
|Vibhu Bakhru
|-
!14
|Justice
|V. Kameswar Rao
|-
!15
|Justice
|[[Anu Malhotra (judge)|Anu Malhotra]]
|-
!16
|Justice
|Yogesh Khanna
|-
!17
|Justice
|[[Rekha Palli]]
|-
!18
|Justice
|[[Prathiba M. Singh]]
|-
!19
|Justice
|Navin Chawla
|-
!20
|Justice
|C. Hari Shankar
|-
!21
|Justice
|Subramonium Prasad
|-
!22
|Justice
|[[Jyoti Singh (judge)|Jyoti Singh]]
|-
!23
|Justice
|Prateek Jalan
|-
!24
|Justice
|Anup Jairam Bhambhani
|-
!25
|Justice
|Sanjeev Narula
|-
!26
|Justice
|Manoj Kumar Ohri
|-
!27
|Justice
|Talwant Singh
|-
!28
|Justice
|Rajnish Bhatnagar
|-
!29
|Justice
|[[Asha Menon (judge)|Asha Menon]]
|-
!30
|Justice
|Jasmeet Singh
|-
!31
|Justice
|Amit Bansal
|-
|}


== Original Side Civil Jurisdiction ==
==Original side civil jurisdiction==
The High Court of Delhi is  territory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018|url=http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/upload/Notification/NotificationFile_0XY08957.PDF|website=Delhi High Court}}</ref> This means that [[Civil law (common law)|civil cases]] can be filed directly in the High Court, whereas the High Court generally only has [[Appellate jurisdiction|appellate civil jurisdiction]] otherwise. The other High Courts which have original side jurisdiction are Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, and Himachal Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Courts|url=https://dakshindia.org/indian-courts/|website=Daksh|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>
The High Court of Delhi is  territory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018|url=http://delhihighcourt.nic.in/writereaddata/upload/Notification/NotificationFile_0XY08957.PDF|website=Delhi High Court}}</ref> This means that [[Civil law (common law)|civil cases]] can be filed directly in the High Court, whereas the High Court generally only has [[Appellate jurisdiction|appellate civil jurisdiction]] otherwise. The other High Courts which have original side jurisdiction are Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Courts|url=https://dakshindia.org/indian-courts/|website=Daksh|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-04}}</ref>


==Backlog==
==Backlog==
As per the report released on 2006–08, Delhi High court has a long list of pending cases. The backlog is such that it would take 466 years to resolve them. In a bid to restore public trust and confidence, Delhi court spent 5 minutes per case and disposed of 94,000 cases in 2008–10.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/At-5-minutes-per-case-Delhi-high-court-clears-94000-in-2-years/articleshow/13663493.cms | title=At 5 minutes per case, Delhi high court clears 94,000 in 2 years | date=30 May 2012 | work=The Times of India}}</ref>
As per the report released on 2006–08, Delhi High court has a long list of pending cases. The backlog is such that it would take 466 years to resolve them. In a bid to restore public trust and confidence, Delhi court spent 5 minutes per case and disposed of 94,000 cases in 2008–10.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/At-5-minutes-per-case-Delhi-high-court-clears-94000-in-2-years/articleshow/13663493.cms | title=At 5 minutes per case, Delhi high court clears 94,000 in 2 years | date=30 May 2012 | work=The Times of India}}</ref>


==Former Chief Justices of Delhi HC==
==Former Chief Justices==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=50%
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=40%
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |Chief Justices
! rowspan="2" |Chief Justices
Line 194: Line 67:
|-
|-
! -
! -
| [[M K M Ismail]] <small>(acting)</small>
| [[M. K. M. Ismail]] <small>(acting)</small>
| 17 Jul 1967
| 17 Jul 1967
| 13 Nov 1967
| 13 Nov 1967
Line 294: Line 167:
|-
|-
!20
!20
| [[S.B. Sinha]]
| [[S. B. Sinha]]
| 26 Nov 2001
| 26 Nov 2001
| 01 Oct 2002
| 01 Oct 2002
Line 357: Line 230:
| 11 Aug 2018
| 11 Aug 2018
| 06 Jun 2019
| 06 Jun 2019
|-
! 30
| [[Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel]]
| 07 Jun 2019
| 12 Mar 2022
|-
! -
| [[Vipin Sanghi]] <small>(acting)</small>
| 13 Mar 2022
| 27 Jun 2022
|-
!31
| [[Satish Chandra Sharma]]
| 28 Jun 2022
| 08 Nov 2023
|-
!-
| [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]] <small>(acting)</small>
| 09 Nov 2023
| 28 Sep 2024
|-
!32
| [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]]
| 29 Sep 2024
| 04 Dec 2024
|-
! -
|Vibhu Bakhru (acting)
| 05 Dec 2024
| 20 January 2025
|}
== Judges elevated to Supreme Court ==
=== Currently serving ===
{| class="wikitable static-row-numbers static-row-header" width="92%" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |Name of the Judge
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Date of Appointment as Judge
! rowspan="2" |Date of elevation to Supreme Court
! rowspan="2" |Date of Retirement
! colspan="3" |Tenure
! rowspan="2" |Immediately preceding office
|-
!As HC Judge
!As Supreme Court Judge
!Total tenure<br />{{small|(including both SC and HC)}}<br />
|-
!1
|[[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]]
|[[File:Justice_Manmohan.jpg|alt=|91x91px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{dts|2008|3|13|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2024|12|5|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2027|12|16|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2008|3|13|2024|12|5}}
|{{ayd|2024|12|5|2027|12|16|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2008|3|13|2027|12|16}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Delhi High Court|33rd CJ]] of Delhi HC
|}
=== Former Judges ===
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header" width="92%" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |Name of the Judge
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Date of Appointment as Judge
! rowspan="2" |Date of elevation to Supreme Court
! rowspan="2" |Date of Retirement
! colspan="3" |Tenure
! rowspan="2" |Immediately preceding office
! rowspan="2" |Remarks
|-
!As HC Judge
!As Supreme Court Judge
!Total tenure<br />{{small|(including both SC and HC)}}<br />
|-
!1
|Srinivasachar Ranganathan
|
|{{Dts|1977|11|14|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1987|10|5|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1992|10|30|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1977|11|14|1987|10|4|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1987|10|5|1992|10|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1977|11|14|1992|10|30|duration=on}}
|Judge of Delhi HC
|
|-
!2
|[[Yogeshwar Dayal]]
|
|{{Dts|1974|2|28|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1991|3|22|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|1994|8|2|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1974|2|28|1991|3|21|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1991|3|22|1994|8|2|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1974|2|28|1994|8|2|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Delhi High Court|13th CJ]] of Delhi HC
|Died in office
|-
!3
|'''[[Bhupinder Nath Kirpal]]'''
|'''[[File:Justice B.N. Kirpal.jpg|alt=|94x94px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]'''
|'''{{Dts|1979|11|20|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|1995|9|11|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|2002|11|7|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1979|11|20|1995|9|10|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1995|9|11|2002|11|7|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1979|11|20|2002|11|7|duration=on}}'''
|'''[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Gujarat High Court|13th CJ]] of [[Gujarat High Court|Gujarat HC]]'''
|'''31st Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!4
|Devinder Pratap Wadhwa
|
|{{Dts|1983|8|12|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1997|3|21|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2000|5|4|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1983|8|12|1997|3|20|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1997|3|21|2000|5|4|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1983|8|12|2000|5|4|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Patna High Court|28th CJ]] of [[Patna High Court|Patna HC]]
|
|-
!5
|'''[[Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal]]'''
|[[File:Justice Y.K. Sabharwal.jpg|alt=|93x93px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|'''{{Dts|1986|11|17|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|2000|1|28|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|2007|1|13|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1986|11|17|2000|1|27|duration=on}}'''
| rowspan="1" align="center" |'''{{ayd|2000|1|28|2007|1|13|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1986|11|17|2007|1|31|duration=on}}'''
|'''[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Bombay High Court|31st CJ]] of [[Bombay High Court|Bombay HC]]'''
|'''36th Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!6
|Arun Kumar
|
|{{Dts|1990|7|13|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2002|10|3|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2006|4|11|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1990|7|13|2002|10|2|duration=on}}
| align="center" |{{ayd|2000|10|3|2006|4|11|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1990|7|13|2006|4|11|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Rajasthan High Court|23rd CJ]] of [[Rajasthan High Court|Rajasthan HC]]
|
|-
!7
|[[Dalveer Bhandari]]
|[[File:The Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice Dalveer Bhandari delivering the inaugural address at the All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal, in New Delhi on November 06, 2011 (cropped).jpg|131x131px]]
|{{Dts|1991|3|19|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2005|10|28|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2012|4|27|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1991|3|19|2005|10|27|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2005|10|28|2012|4|27|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1991|3|19|2012|4|27|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Bombay High Court|34th CJ]] of [[Bombay High Court|Bombay HC]]
|Resigned from office
|-
!8
|[[D. K. Jain|Devinder Kumar Jain]]
|
|{{Dts|1991|3|19|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2006|4|10|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2013|1|24|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1991|3|19|2006|4|9|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2006|4|10|2013|1|24|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1991|3|19|2013|1|24|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Punjab and Haryana High Court|26th CJ]] of [[Punjab and Haryana High Court|Punjab & Haryana HC]]
|
|-
!9
|[[Swatanter Kumar]]
|
|{{Dts|1994|11|10|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2009|12|18|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2012|12|19|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1994|11|10|2009|12|17|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2009|12|18|2012|12|19|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1994|11|10|2012|12|19|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Bombay High Court|37th CJ]] of [[Bombay High Court|Bombay HC]]
|
|-
!10
|[[Madan Lokur]]
|[[File:The Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Madan B. Lokur delivering the valedictory address, at the 35th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institutions, in New Delhi on March 24, 2017 (cropped).jpg|alt=|95x95px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|1999|2|19|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2012|6|4|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2018|12|30|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1999|2|19|2012|6|3|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2012|6|4|2018|12|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1999|2|19|2018|12|30|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Gauhati High Court|33rd CJ]] of [[Gauhati High Court|Gauhati HC]]
|
|-
!11
|[[Vikramajit Sen]]
|
|{{Dts|1999|7|7|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2012|12|24|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2015|12|30|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1999|7|7|2012|12|23|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2012|12|24|2015|12|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1999|7|7|2015|12|30|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Karnataka High Court|26th CJ]] of [[Karnataka High Court|Karnataka HC]]
|
|-
!12
|[[Arjan Kumar Sikri]]
|
|{{Dts|1999|7|7|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2013|4|12|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2019|3|6|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1999|7|7|2013|4|11|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2013|4|12|2019|3|6|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1999|7|7|2019|3|6|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Punjab and Haryana High Court|31st CJ]] of [[Punjab and Haryana High Court|Punjab & Haryana HC]]
|
|-
!13
|[[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]]
|[[File:Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.jpg|alt=|101x101px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2001|5|3|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2017|2|17|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2023|12|25|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2001|5|3|2017|2|16|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2017|2|17|2023|12|25|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2001|5|3|2023|12|25|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Madras High Court|38th CJ]] of [[Madras High Court|Madras HC]]
|
|-
!14
|'''[[Sanjiv Khanna]]'''
|'''[[File:Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna.jpg|alt=|88x88px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]'''
|'''{{Dts|2005|6|24|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|2019|1|18|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|2025|5|13|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|2005|6|24|2019|1|17|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|2019|1|18|2025|5|13|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|2005|6|24|2025|5|13|duration=on}}'''
|'''Judge of Delhi HC'''
|'''51st Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!15
|[[Shripathi Ravindra Bhat]]
|[[File:Justice S R Bhat.jpg|alt=|99x99px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2004|7|16|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2019|9|23|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2023|10|20|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2004|7|16|2019|9|22|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2019|9|23|2023|10|20|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2004|7|16|2023|10|20|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Rajasthan High Court|36th CJ]] of [[Rajasthan High Court|Rajasthan HC]]
|
|-
!16
|[[Hima Kohli]]
|[[File:Justice Hima Kohli.jpg|alt=|84x84px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2006|5|29|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2021|8|31|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2024|9|1|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2006|5|29|2021|8|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2021|8|31|2024|9|1|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2006|5|29|2024|9|1|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Telangana High Court|3rd CJ]] of [[Telangana High Court|Telangana HC]]
|
|}
|}


== District Courts ==
==Judges elevated as Chief Justices==
The [[National Capital Territory of Delhi]] has 7 District Courts Complex that function under the High Court of Delhi. These 7 are physical locations of the district courts, whereas actually there are 11 district courts headed by individual District Judges. The Tis Hazari complex, Rohini complex and Saket complex hosts 2 Districts each, while the Karkardooma complex hosts 3 Districts and the remaining 3 complexes (Patiala, Dwarka and Rouse Avenue) host 1 District each.  
==District Courts==
{{Main| Courts in Delhi}}
The [[National Capital Territory of Delhi]] has 7 District Courts Complex that function under the High Court of Delhi. These 7 are physical locations of the district courts, whereas actually there are 11 district courts headed by individual District Judges. The Tis Hazari complex, Rohini complex and Saket complex hosts 2 Districts each, while the Karkardooma complex hosts 3 Districts and the remaining 3 complexes (Patiala, Dwarka and Rouse Avenue) host 1 District each.


The list of 7 District Courts Complex in Delhi is as follows:
The list of 7 District Courts Complex in Delhi is as follows:
Line 373: Line 516:
| align=center|1
| align=center|1
| align=center| 1958
| align=center| 1958
| Central Delhi and West Delhi
| [[Central Delhi]] and [[West Delhi]]
| Tis Hazari Courts Complex
| Tis Hazari Courts Complex
|-
|-
Line 383: Line 526:
| align=center|3
| align=center|3
| align=center| 1993
| align=center| 1993
| East Delhi, North-East Delhi and Shahdara
| Jamnapaar (East Delhi, North-East Delhi and Shahdara)
| Karkardooma Courts Complex
| Karkardooma Courts Complex
|-
|-
Line 403: Line 546:
| align=center|7
| align=center|7
| align=center| 2019
| align=center| 2019
| Central Delhi and West Delhi
| Central Delhi and CBI Courts or labour Court.
| Rouse Avenue Courts Complex<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rouse-avenue-court-complex-opens-today/articleshow/68787666.cms |title=Rouse Avenue court complex opens today |work=The Times of India |date=9 April 2019 }}</ref>
| Rouse Avenue Courts Complex<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/rouse-avenue-court-complex-opens-today/articleshow/68787666.cms |title=Rouse Avenue court complex opens today |work=The Times of India |date=9 April 2019 }}</ref>
|}
|}
==Notable cases==
Notable cases decided or involving the High Court include:
* ''[[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation]]''
* ''[[Naz Foundation v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi]]''
* ''[[University of Oxford v. Rameshwari Photocopy Service]]''
* ''[[Suresh Kumar Koushal v. Naz Foundation]]''
* ''[[Amar Nath Sehgal v. Union of India]]''
* ''[[National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India]]''
* ''[[Penguin Books Ltd. v. India Book Distributors and Others]]''


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Subordinate Courts Of Delhi High Court]]
* [[Subordinate courts of Delhi High Court]]
* [[High courts of India]]
* [[2011 Delhi bombing]], at the Delhi High Court
* [[University of Oxford v. Rameshwari Photocopy Service]]


==References==
==References==
Line 424: Line 577:


[[Category:Delhi High Court| ]]
[[Category:Delhi High Court| ]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Delhi]]
[[Category:Government buildings in Delhi]]
[[Category:Government of Delhi]]
[[Category:Government of Delhi]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in Delhi]]
[[Category:Judiciary of India]]
[[Category:High courts of India]]
[[Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1966]]
[[Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1966]]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 3 February 2026


Delhi High Court
Established31 October 1966; 59 years ago (1966-10-31)
JurisdictionDelhi
LocationShershah Road, Justice SB Marg, New Delhi
Coordinates28°36′32″N 77°14′10″E / 28.6090°N 77.2361°E / 28.6090; 77.2361
Composition methodPresidential with confirmation of Chief Justice of India
Websitedelhihighcourt.nic.in
Chief Justice
CurrentlyDevendra Kumar Upadhyaya
Since21 January 2025

The High Court of Delhi is the high court in Delhi, India. It was established on 31 October 1966, through the Delhi High Court Act, 1966.[1] Below it are 11 Subordinate Courts that oversee smaller judicial districts. The court gets its powers from Chapter V in Part VI of the Constitution of India.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

Established in 1919, the High Court of Judicature at Lahore exercised jurisdiction over the then provinces of Punjab and Delhi. This continued until the Indian Independence Act 1947, establishing the dominions of India and Pakistan.

On 15 August 1947 the High Courts (Punjab) Order, 1947 established a new High Court for the territory of what was then East Punjab. The India (Adaptation of Existing Indian Laws) Order, 1947 provided that any reference in an existing Indian law to the High Court of Judicature at Lahore, be replaced by a reference to the High Court of East Punjab.

The High Court of East Punjab started functioning from Shimla in a building called "Peterhoff". This building burnt down in January 1981.

When the Secretariat of the Punjab Government shifted to Chandigarh in 1954–55, the High Court also shifted to Chandigarh. The High Court of Punjab, as it is later came to be called, exercised jurisdiction over Delhi through a Circuit Bench which dealt with the cases pertaining to the Union Territory of Delhi and the Delhi Administration.

In view of the importance of Delhi, its population and other considerations, Indian Parliament thought it was necessary to establish a new High Court of Delhi. This was achieved by enacting the Delhi High Court Act, 1966 on 5 September 1966.

The High Court of Delhi initially exercised jurisdiction not only over the Union Territory of Delhi, but also Himachal Pradesh. The High Court of Delhi had a Himachal Pradesh Bench at Shimla in a building called Ravenswood. The High Court of Delhi continued to exercise jurisdiction over Himachal Pradesh until the State of Himachal Pradesh Act, 1970 was enforced on 25 January 1971.[3]

Chief Justice and Judges[edit | edit source]

The Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi is appointed by the President of India, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. During the appointment, the Chief Justice of India is required to consult with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. For all other High Courts in India, the Chief Justices are appointed by the President of India, as provided under Article 217 of the Constitution, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the State.[4] The Chief Justice is the senior-most sitting judge of the High Court in a State. Besides performing judicial functions, he/she also exercises administrative powers, as provided under Article 229 of the Constitution of India.[5]

The current Chief Justice of this court is Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. He was appointed on 21 January 2025.[6]

Judges of the Delhi High Court[edit | edit source]

The Judges of High Court of Delhi (other than the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court) are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, and on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi. The Chief Justice of India is required to consult with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the High Court is also required to consult his two senior-most puisne Judges before recommending a name for appointment to the High Court.[7] The Judges of the Delhi High Court are guided by the code of ethics as stated in ‘Restatement of Values of Judicial Life’ adopted by the Supreme Court of India, vide its resolution dated 7 May 1997.[8]

Currently, the sanctioned strength of Judges of the High Court of Delhi is 45 permanent Judges and 15 Additional Judges.[9] Following is the list of sitting Judges of the High Court of Delhi:[10]

See also: List of sitting judges of the high courts of India § Delhi High Court

Original side civil jurisdiction[edit | edit source]

The High Court of Delhi is territory.[11] This means that civil cases can be filed directly in the High Court, whereas the High Court generally only has appellate civil jurisdiction otherwise. The other High Courts which have original side jurisdiction are Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.[12]

Backlog[edit | edit source]

As per the report released on 2006–08, Delhi High court has a long list of pending cases. The backlog is such that it would take 466 years to resolve them. In a bid to restore public trust and confidence, Delhi court spent 5 minutes per case and disposed of 94,000 cases in 2008–10.[13]

Former Chief Justices[edit | edit source]

# Chief Justices Tenure
Start End
1 K. S. Hegde 31 Oct 1966 16 Jul 1967
- M. K. M. Ismail (acting) 17 Jul 1967 13 Nov 1967
2 I. D. Dua 14 Nov 1967 01 Aug 1969
3 H. R. Khanna 01 Aug 1969 22 Sep 1970
4 Hardayal Hardy 22 Sep 1971 15 May 1972
5 Narain Andley 15 May 1972 04 Jun 1974
6 T. V. R. Tatachari 04 Jun 1974 16 Oct 1978
7 V. S. Deshpande 16 Oct 1978 27 Mar 1980
8 Prakash Narain 08 Jan 1981 06 Aug 1985
9 Rajinder Sachar 06 Aug 1985 22 Dec 1985
10 D. K. Kapur 22 Dec 1985 20 Aug 1986
11 T.P.S. Chawla 20 Aug 1986 16 Aug 1987
- R. N. Aggarwal (acting) 16 Aug 1987 21 Aug 1987
12 Yogeshwar Dayal 21 Aug 1987 18 Mar 1988
13 Rabindranath Pyne 18 Mar 1988 28 Sep 1990
14 Milap Chand Jain 28 Nov 1990 21 Jul 1991
15 G. C. Mittal 05 Aug 1991 04 Mar 1994
16 M. Jagannadha Rao 12 Apr 1994 21 Mar 1997
17 Mahinder Narain 21 Mar 1997 30 Dec 1999
18 Sam Nariman Variava 31 Dec 1999 15 Mar 2000
19 Arijit Pasayat 10 May 2000 19 Oct 2001
20 S. B. Sinha 26 Nov 2001 01 Oct 2002
21 B. C. Patel 05 Mar 2003 07 Aug 2005
22 Markandey Katju 12 Oct 2005 10 Apr 2006
23 Mukundakam Sharma 04 Dec 2006 09 Apr 2008
24 Ajit Prakash Shah 11 May 2008 12 Feb 2010
25 Dipak Misra 24 May 2010 10 Oct 2011
26 D Murugesan 26 Sep 2012 10 Jun 2013
- Badar Durrez Ahmed (acting) 10 Jun 2013 01 Sept 2013
27 N. V. Ramana 02 Sep 2013 16 Feb 2014
- Badar Durrez Ahmed (acting) 17 Feb 2014 20 Apr 2014
28 Gorla Rohini 21 Apr 2014 13 Apr 2017
- Gita Mittal (acting) 14 Apr 2017 10 Aug 2018
29 Rajendra Menon 11 Aug 2018 06 Jun 2019
30 Dhirubhai Naranbhai Patel 07 Jun 2019 12 Mar 2022
- Vipin Sanghi (acting) 13 Mar 2022 27 Jun 2022
31 Satish Chandra Sharma 28 Jun 2022 08 Nov 2023
- Manmohan (acting) 09 Nov 2023 28 Sep 2024
32 Manmohan 29 Sep 2024 04 Dec 2024
- Vibhu Bakhru (acting) 05 Dec 2024 20 January 2025

Judges elevated to Supreme Court[edit | edit source]

Currently serving[edit | edit source]

# Name of the Judge Image Date of Appointment as Judge Date of elevation to Supreme Court Date of Retirement Tenure Immediately preceding office
As HC Judge As Supreme Court Judge Total tenure
(including both SC and HC)
1 Manmohan 13 March 2008 5 December 2024 16 December 2027 16 years, 267 days 3 years, 12 days 19 years, 278 days 33rd CJ of Delhi HC

Former Judges[edit | edit source]

# Name of the Judge Image Date of Appointment as Judge Date of elevation to Supreme Court Date of Retirement Tenure Immediately preceding office Remarks
As HC Judge As Supreme Court Judge Total tenure
(including both SC and HC)
1 Srinivasachar Ranganathan 14 November 1977 5 October 1987 30 October 1992 9 years, 325 days 5 years, 26 days 14 years, 352 days Judge of Delhi HC
2 Yogeshwar Dayal 28 February 1974 22 March 1991 2 August 1994 17 years, 22 days 3 years, 134 days 20 years, 156 days 13th CJ of Delhi HC Died in office
3 Bhupinder Nath Kirpal 20 November 1979 11 September 1995 7 November 2002 15 years, 295 days 7 years, 58 days 22 years, 353 days 13th CJ of Gujarat HC 31st Chief Justice of India
4 Devinder Pratap Wadhwa 12 August 1983 21 March 1997 4 May 2000 13 years, 221 days 3 years, 45 days 16 years, 267 days 28th CJ of Patna HC
5 Yogesh Kumar Sabharwal 17 November 1986 28 January 2000 13 January 2007 13 years, 72 days 6 years, 351 days 20 years, 76 days 31st CJ of Bombay HC 36th Chief Justice of India
6 Arun Kumar 13 July 1990 3 October 2002 11 April 2006 12 years, 82 days 5 years, 191 days 15 years, 273 days 23rd CJ of Rajasthan HC
7 Dalveer Bhandari 19 March 1991 28 October 2005 27 April 2012 14 years, 223 days 6 years, 183 days 21 years, 40 days 34th CJ of Bombay HC Resigned from office
8 Devinder Kumar Jain 19 March 1991 10 April 2006 24 January 2013 15 years, 22 days 6 years, 290 days 21 years, 312 days 26th CJ of Punjab & Haryana HC
9 Swatanter Kumar 10 November 1994 18 December 2009 19 December 2012 15 years, 38 days 3 years, 2 days 18 years, 40 days 37th CJ of Bombay HC
10 Madan Lokur 19 February 1999 4 June 2012 30 December 2018 13 years, 106 days 6 years, 210 days 19 years, 315 days 33rd CJ of Gauhati HC
11 Vikramajit Sen 7 July 1999 24 December 2012 30 December 2015 13 years, 170 days 3 years, 7 days 16 years, 177 days 26th CJ of Karnataka HC
12 Arjan Kumar Sikri 7 July 1999 12 April 2013 6 March 2019 13 years, 279 days 5 years, 329 days 19 years, 243 days 31st CJ of Punjab & Haryana HC
13 Sanjay Kishan Kaul 3 May 2001 17 February 2017 25 December 2023 15 years, 290 days 6 years, 312 days 22 years, 237 days 38th CJ of Madras HC
14 Sanjiv Khanna 24 June 2005 18 January 2019 13 May 2025 13 years, 208 days 6 years, 116 days 19 years, 324 days Judge of Delhi HC 51st Chief Justice of India
15 Shripathi Ravindra Bhat 16 July 2004 23 September 2019 20 October 2023 15 years, 69 days 4 years, 28 days 19 years, 97 days 36th CJ of Rajasthan HC
16 Hima Kohli 29 May 2006 31 August 2021 1 September 2024 15 years, 94 days 3 years, 2 days 18 years, 96 days 3rd CJ of Telangana HC

Judges elevated as Chief Justices[edit | edit source]

District Courts[edit | edit source]

Main article: Courts in Delhi

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has 7 District Courts Complex that function under the High Court of Delhi. These 7 are physical locations of the district courts, whereas actually there are 11 district courts headed by individual District Judges. The Tis Hazari complex, Rohini complex and Saket complex hosts 2 Districts each, while the Karkardooma complex hosts 3 Districts and the remaining 3 complexes (Patiala, Dwarka and Rouse Avenue) host 1 District each.

The list of 7 District Courts Complex in Delhi is as follows:

S.No. Year of
establishment 		Districts Name of Court
1 1958 Central Delhi and West Delhi Tis Hazari Courts Complex
2 1977 New Delhi Patiala House Courts Complex
3 1993 Jamnapaar (East Delhi, North-East Delhi and Shahdara) Karkardooma Courts Complex
4 2005 North Delhi and North-West Delhi Rohini Courts Complex
5 2008 South-West Delhi Dwarka Courts Complex
6 2010 South Delhi and South-East Delhi Saket Courts Complex
7 2019 Central Delhi and CBI Courts or labour Court. Rouse Avenue Courts Complex[14]

Notable cases[edit | edit source]

Notable cases decided or involving the High Court include:

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "History of the High Court of Delhi". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "FAQs: what is the sources of powers of a High Court?". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  3. ↑ "History of the Delhi High Court". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "FAQs: How are Chief Justices of High Courts appointed?". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "FAQs: What is the role of the Chief Justice of the High Court". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ↑ "Chief Justice (CJ) and Sitting Judges". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "FAQs: How are judges appointed to the High Court of Delhi?". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "FAQs: Is there a code of ethics for the High Court Judges?". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "FAQs: How many judges, other than the Chief Justice, does the High Court of Delhi have?". The High Court of Delhi. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Chief Justice and sitting Judges of Delhi HC". High Court of Delhi.
  11. ↑ "Delhi High Court (Original Side) Rules, 2018" (PDF). Delhi High Court.
  12. ↑ "Indian Courts". Daksh. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "At 5 minutes per case, Delhi high court clears 94,000 in 2 years". The Times of India. 30 May 2012.
  14. ↑ "Rouse Avenue court complex opens today". The Times of India. 9 April 2019.

External links[edit | edit source]

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