Justice Rajiv Shakdhar to be new CJ of Himachal High court

Justice Rajiv Shakdhar, a senior judge from the Delhi High Court, has been recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium to be the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He is set to replace Justice MS Ramachandra Rao, who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. Justice Rao had assumed his position in Himachal Pradesh in May 2023.

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Chief Justices in seven High Courts, including Himachal Pradesh.

Justice Shakdhar’s judicial career began when he was appointed as a judge of the Delhi High Court on April 11, 2008. He was confirmed as a permanent judge on October 17, 2011. In 2016, he was transferred to the Madras High Court, where he served from April 11, 2016, until his return to the Delhi High Court on January 15, 2018.

Justice Shakdhar holds a B.Com (Hons) degree from Delhi University, graduating in 1984, and an LLB degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, which he received in 1987. He also completed his Chartered Accountancy from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1987 and became an Associate Member of the Institute on January 29, 1988.

In 1994, Justice Shakdhar pursued an advanced course in law at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of London. He has practiced law in the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and various other High Courts across India. He is recognized as an expert in indirect taxes, foreign exchange, and service laws.