Mumbai: The Supreme Court collegium has recommended Justice Abhay Oka’s name for the post of Chief Justice (CJ) of the Karnataka high court.

The existing CJ of Karnataka, Dinesh Maheshwari, has been elevated to the Supreme Court. Justice Oka is the senior-most Judge in the Bombay high court who has given many important orders on noise pollution, tree cutting, illegal banners and hoardings, facilities for women prisoners and their children, setting aside stringent provisions of the beef ban notification, putting a stay on new constructions in Mumbai and dumping ground extension matters.  

The collegium resolution states, “The office of the Chief Justice of the Karnataka high court has fallen vacant, consequent upon the elevation of Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chief Justice of that HC to the Supreme Court. Therefore, appointment to that office is required to be made.”

The collegium resolution further states, “Justice A.S. Oka is the senior-most Judge from Bombay HC and is functioning in that HC since his elevation. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium finds Justice A.S. Oka suitable in all respects for being appointed as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka HC. The Collegium resolves to recommend accordingly.”  

While making the recommendation, the SC collegium also noted, “Consequent upon the proposed appointment, there will be two Chief Justices from the Bombay HC which is the second largest HC in the country with a sanctioned strength of 94 Judges.”  

 Justice A.S. Oka practised in the Thane district court in 1983.