IBEX NEWS, Shimla.
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, has been sworn in as 28th the Chief Justice, of High Court of Himachal Pradesh today. The Governor Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Chief Justice at Raj Bhawan, in a simple but an impressive ceremony.
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, was born on 07.08.1966, at Hyderabad. He topped Osmania University in B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics course. He passed LL.B. from University College of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1989 and was awarded CVSS Acharyulu Gold Medal for securing highest marks. He enrolled as an Advocate on 07.09.1989. He secured LL.M. from the University of Cambridge U.K. in 1991. He was also awarded the Pegasus Scholarship by the Scholarship Trust, Inner Temple, London. He practiced law in the area of Civil Law, Arbitration, Company Law, Administrative and Constitutional Law, Labour and Service Law. His father Mr. Justice M. Jagannadha Rao was a former Judge of Supreme Court of India and former Chairman of Law Commission of India. His grandfather M.S. Ramachandra Rao was also a Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao was elevated as Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on 29.06.2012. He was appointed to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice, High Court for the State of Telangana w.e.f. 31.08.2021. He was later transferred as Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court and assumed charge of office on 12.10.2021.
After taking oath at Raj Bhawan, the Chief Justice was given Red Carpet Welcome and Guard of Honour in the High Court premises. Full Court Welcome Address, in honour of new Chief Justice, was held in the Court of Chief Justice.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Justice said that steps need to be taken for disposal of cases that are more than five year old and cases of senior citizen. He said that criminal appeals also need to be heard expeditiously. He said that he will ensure that there is proper infrastructure in the District Court buildings to serve the litigant public, lawyers, judicial officers and court staff. The Chief Justice laid stressed on the need of IT infrastructure in the High Court and District Judiciary to facilitate the better administration of Courts and also judicial work. The Chief Justice assured that he will make all efforts for strengthening and streamlining the judicial system and hoped that the State Government will provide sufficient funds and full co-operation for this purpose. He said that keeping the challenges in mind and realizing that the responsibility is immense, he will work with the companion judges and Members of Bar to deliver justice to the litigants of good quality with speed.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan said that it is a matter of great privilege and honour to welcome Justice M.S Ramachandra Rao, who has been given the responsibility to head this High Court in the beautiful State of H.P. The Chief Justice brings with him a very rich experience having worked in Telangana and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, which will certainly help and go a long way in discharging his duties as head of this High Court. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan said that Justice Rao has delivered a number of landmark judgments. Justice Chauhan further said that incidentally the Chief Justice happens to be the son-in-law of this State and son-in-law in this part of the country is treated as Kings and fondly called Jamai Raja. Justice Chauhan assured the Chief Justice, an unflinching support on hehalf of sister and brother Judges and on behalf of entire judicial fraternity.
Sh. Anup Rattan, Advocate General, Sh. Ajay Kumar Sharma, Chairman, Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh, Sh. Ankush Dass Sood, President, H.P. High Court Bar Association and Sh. Balram Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India also spoke on the occasion.
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Sandeep Sharma, Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Justice Satyen Vaidya, Justice Sushil Kukreja and Justice Virender Singh, were also present on the occasion.
Among other prominent persons present on the occasion were wife of the Chief Justice Mrs. Eva Rao, father Justice Jagannatha Rao, former Judge, Supreme Court of India, other members of family, Justice D.K Jain former Judge Supreme Court of India, Judges of High Courts of Telangana and Punjab & Haryana. Justice P.S Rana, Chairman, H.P. State Human Rights Commission, Justice C.B Barowalia, Lokayukta, Himachal Pradesh, former Judges of High Court of H.P., Senior Advocates and other Members of Bar Association, Registrar General and other Registrars, officers and staff of High Court Registry were also present on the occasion.