Former Supreme Court judge Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), bringing an end to the months-long wait for a regular head of the country’s key corporate appellate institution.
The appointment was confirmed by Bindal to Bar & Bench on November 5, 2026. He succeeds Justice Ashok Bhushan, who completed his tenure on July 4, 2026, after which Justice Yogesh Khanna, a judicial member of NCLAT, took over as officiating chairperson. Bindal, who retired from the Supreme Court on April 15, 2026, previously served as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court before his elevation to the apex court in February 2023.
His appointment comes amid wider concerns raised by the Supreme Court about the administration of the NCLT and NCLAT, particularly the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ influence over staff appointments and institutional autonomy.
The development is significant because the tribunal hears appeals involving corporate insolvency, restructuring and competition disputes, affecting businesses, creditors, employees and investors across the country.
A Distinguished Judicial Career
Justice Bindal’s appointment brings to the tribunal a judge with experience across several constitutional courts and a career spanning more than two decades on the Bench. Born on April 16, 1961, in Ambala, Haryana, he began practising law before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in September 1985.
He was elevated as a judge of the same High Court on March 22, 2006, and subsequently served at the Jammu and Kashmir and Calcutta High Courts. He was appointed Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court in October 2021 before being elevated to the Supreme Court on February 13, 2023. He served at the apex court for more than three years before retiring.
His new responsibility places him at the head of an appellate body whose decisions can have far-reaching consequences for businesses, creditors, investors and workers. NCLAT hears appeals against decisions of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), particularly under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and the Competition Act, 2002.
Its work includes disputes involving corporate insolvency, restructuring, mergers and competition matters. For companies facing insolvency proceedings, creditors seeking recovery and employees whose livelihoods may depend on the outcome of corporate disputes, the tribunal is an important part of India’s dispute-resolution framework. Its leadership, therefore, carries responsibilities that extend beyond the legal profession into the wider economy.
Questions Over Tribunal Autonomy
The appointment comes against the backdrop of concerns about the functioning of India’s company law tribunals. Justice Ashok Bhushan completed his tenure as NCLAT Chairperson on July 4, 2026, following which Justice Yogesh Khanna, a judicial member, was appointed officiating chairperson from July 5.
The Central Government subsequently extended his tenure in October while a regular appointment remained pending. Meanwhile, on October 29, the Supreme Court, hearing proceedings concerning staff vacancies, infrastructure and administrative difficulties at the NCLT, raised concerns about the Ministry of Corporate Affairs’ influence over tribunal administration.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana questioned the recruitment arrangements and emphasised that tribunal leadership must have greater autonomy over staff appointments. The Chief Justice orally observed that the administration had been “completely hijacked” by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, adding that the arrangement was affecting the institution’s autonomy.
The Court was also informed that only 67 of the NCLT’s 320 regular administrative posts had been filled, leaving 253 vacant. Separately, concerns were raised about infrastructure at the principal bench in Delhi, where parts of the building had reportedly been shut because of their condition.
The Attorney General, R Venkataramani, told the Court that recommendations for appointments were already in progress and proposed a joint meeting involving government representatives, tribunal leadership and members of the Bar to address the difficulties.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs subsequently issued a clarification on October 30, stating that the NCLT independently manages the appointment and administration of its officers and staff, including Deputy Registrars, Court Officers and other personnel.
It said its administrative role was limited to appointments of the NCLT’s 63 judicial and technical members, while responsibility for other employees had been transferred to the tribunal through an October 14, 2019 notification. However, the clarification did not address the wider manpower shortages or the concerns raised by contractual employees.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, sought proposals from the NCLT and NCLAT leadership on their staffing, infrastructure and administrative requirements, asking for the information within four weeks. These proceedings underline that the challenges facing the tribunals extend beyond the appointment of their presiding officers.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Justice Rajesh Bindal’s appointment is an important leadership development for an institution that plays a significant role in India’s corporate justice system. However, the effectiveness of any tribunal cannot be measured only by the experience or credentials of the person occupying its highest office.
It also depends on whether judges and tribunal members have the independence, infrastructure, support staff and institutional resources required to discharge their responsibilities without unnecessary administrative hurdles. Delays in resolving insolvency and corporate disputes can affect businesses, creditors, employees and families whose financial security may depend on the outcome.
Equally, institutional independence must go hand in hand with transparency, accountability and fair recruitment practices. The Supreme Court’s observations and the Ministry’s clarification reflect different positions on the administration of these institutions, making constructive engagement between the judiciary and the government particularly important.
As Justice Bindal takes on this responsibility, the larger opportunity is to strengthen public confidence in India’s corporate dispute-resolution system through timely decisions, fair processes and effective administration.
Will this leadership transition help address the deeper structural challenges facing India’s corporate tribunals, or does meaningful reform require a wider institutional overhaul?
Also Read: Major Fire Breaks Out At Delhi’s Gaffar Market, 22 Fire Units Deployed In Karol Bagh
