Avinash Gharote, Anil Kilor elevated as HC judges

Staff Reporter : The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended elevation of two city lawyers Adv Avinash Gharote and Adv Anil Kilor as additional judges of Bombay High Court. Their elevation was on cards and was finalised on Monday afternoon after personal interview taken by Supreme Court Collegium consisting of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, seniormost judge Justice Sharad Bobde and Justice N V Ramana.

The Supreme Court Collegium resolution considered candidature of Avinash Gharote, N B Suryawanshi, Avinash S Deshmukh, Manjari Dhanesh Shah, J R Shah, Madhav Jamdar, Anil Kilor, Abhay Kumar Ahuja, Devidas Pangam, Milind Narendra Jadhav, recommended by then Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on May 4, 2018 in consultation with her two seniormost colleagues. It was in concurrence of the Chief Ministers and the Governors of Maharashtra and Goa. To ascertain suitability of the above-named recommendees for elevation to the High Court, the Supreme Court consulted other sitting Apex Court judges conversant with the affairs of the Bombay High Court. After carefully scrutinising the material including the observations made by the Department of Justice as well as a complaint placed in the file and after interacting with all the recommendees, the Collegium recommended elevation of Avinash Gharote, N B Suryawanshi, Madhav Jamdar, Anil Kilor, and Milind Jadhav as Judges of the Bombay High Court. The High Court remitted back names of Avinash Deshmukh, Manjari Shah, J R Shah, Devidas Pangam to the Bombay High Court.

As regards Abhay Ahuja, the proposal was deferred and additional information was sought from the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court. Bombay High Court has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges including 71 permanent and 23 additional judges. As on date, there are 51 permanent and 19 additional judges and there is a shortfall of 20 permanent judges and four additional judges. In its meeting held on March 11, the Collegium had recommended to make Justices Sandeep K Shinde, Rohit Baban Deo, Bharati Harish Dangre, Sarang V Kotwal, Riyaz I Chagla, Manish Pitale, S K Kotwal, Arun D Upadhye, Mangesh S Patil, A M Dhavale, P K Chavan, Murlidhar G Giratkar, Vibha V Kankanwadi, and S M Gavhane, working as additional judges presently, as the permanent judges. Born on May 17, 1963, Adv Avinash Gunwantrao Gharote did his schooling from S F S School. He obtained his B.Sc. degree from S F S College and then joined the Law College.

After completing LL.B. in 1986, he started practice under the guidance of his illustrious father Adv Gunwantrao Gharote, known for his mastery over civil laws. Soon, he established his independent practice in District Court and emerged as a formidable lawyer on civil side. Known as a very techno-savvy lawyer and a voracious reader, Adv Gharote has appeared in several important matters during his three decade long career. Born on September 3, 1966, Adv Anil Kilor hails from village Walgaon in Amravati district. He did his law degree from RTMNU’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law and joined the chambers of Adv Sanjay Jagtap in 1992. He also worked under Adv Arvind Badhe and later established his independent practice.

Known for his creativity and composure, Adv Kilor changed the working of High Court Bar Association (HCBA) as its President. Even as a young executive member of HCBA, Adv Kilor was instrumental in designing the lounge and Bar Rooms. During his stint as HCBA President, the High Court got five acre land for future expansion, and new land across the existing building was earmarked for new annexe building. He played a major role in redoing the premises and starting several welfare and academic initiatives for members, particularly juniors. He was actively associated with Jan Manch, took out ‘Sinchan Shodh Yatra’ and appeared in high-profile PILs including the irrigation scam that exposed mind-boggling corruption. The elevation of both the lawyers as additional judges has been warmly welcomed in the legal circles here.