Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta Recommended As Chief Justice Of Uttarakhand High Court By Supreme Court Collegium

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta recommended as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court by Supreme Court Collegium

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta of the Allahabad High Court as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court. His appointment will take effect following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, Justice G Narendar, on January 9, 2026.

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta is currently the second senior-most judge of the Allahabad High Court and brings with him over three decades of legal and judicial experience. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Lucknow University in 1987. Prior to pursuing law, he had reportedly considered a career in engineering before choosing the legal profession. Following his graduation, he enrolled as an advocate on December 6, 1987, and commenced practice primarily in civil law, rent control matters, and constitutional law.

Before his elevation to the bench, Justice Gupta practiced for more than 25 years and built a reputation for handling complex litigation across multiple domains. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court on April 12, 2013, and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on April 10, 2015.

During his tenure at the Allahabad High Court, Justice Gupta has adjudicated a wide range of significant and complex matters. In cases relating to land acquisition and compensation, particularly under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he has cautioned State authorities against the unauthorised use of private land without due acquisition, warning of strict consequences for violations.

In the area of constitutional rights, Justice Gupta authored a notable judgment in 2025 permitting a 17-year-old survivor to terminate a 31-week pregnancy, reaffirming reproductive autonomy as an essential facet of personal liberty and constitutional protection. His judicial work has also extended to service and educational law, including rulings on police service regulations, reforms concerning the UP PCS (Judicial) examination, and disputes relating to college admissions and compensation for students.

Justice Gupta has also dealt extensively with real estate and infrastructure matters, directing major developers to hand over stalled residential projects and upholding the cancellation of large-scale land leases by development authorities in cases involving regulatory non-compliance. Additionally, in matters of public health and infrastructure, he has sought responses from the State on the establishment of advanced medical institutions, including proposals for an AIIMS-like hospital in Prayagraj.

The recommendation of Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta reflects the Collegium’s assessment of his judicial experience, administrative capability, and long-standing contribution to the justice delivery system, as he prepares to assume leadership of the Uttarakhand High Court.

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