Shimla, July 14,
Senior-most judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. The official notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Justice (Appointments Division), states that the appointment was made by the President of India under clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution. Justice Chauhan will assume charge as Chief Justice from the date he takes oath.
Also read: Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan to be Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC
This marks a significant elevation in the judicial career of Justice Chauhan, who has served the Himachal Pradesh High Court with distinction for several years. Known for his judicial clarity and integrity, Justice Chauhan was earlier appointed to perform the duties of the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court under Article 223 following the retirement of Chief Justice Rajiv Shakdher on October 18, 2024.
A native of Himachal Pradesh, Justice Chauhan has authored several landmark judgments and is recognized for his contributions in areas of environmental law, constitutional matters, and service jurisprudence. His elevation as Chief Justice of a different High Court follows a longstanding convention of appointing Chief Justices from outside the parent High Court to ensure greater independence in functioning.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, whom Justice Chauhan had succeeded in an acting capacity, retired in October 2024. Since then, Justice Chauhan had been discharging the functions of the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court. His leadership during this period was noted for maintaining judicial efficiency and addressing backlog issues.
With this new appointment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court is likely to see a fresh appointment to fill the vacancy created by Justice Chauhan’s departure. The move is seen as a recognition of his dedication and the maturity he brings to judicial administration.
The legal fraternity in Himachal Pradesh has welcomed the appointment and expressed confidence that Justice Chauhan will continue to uphold the values of justice and constitutional propriety in his new role.
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