The Central government has notified appointment of Acting Chief Justices to four High Courts considering the recent elevation of former Chief Justices of these High Courts to Supreme Court.
1. Justice Ravi Ranjan Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Patna HC
Justice Dr. Ravi Ranjan, senior-most Judge of Patna High Court, has been appointed to perform the duties of the office of Chief Justice of Patna High Court.Justice Ranjan’s appointment has been made in view of Chief Justice MR Shah’s elevation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Ranjan was initially appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Patna in July, 2008 and was made permanent in January, 2010.
2. Justice Sanjay Kumar Seth Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh HC
The senior-most judge of Madhya Pradesh High Court, Justice Sanjay Kumar Seth, will now Serve as the Acting Chief Justice of the same court, consequent upon Chief Justice Hemant Gupta’s elevation to the Supreme Court.
Justice Seth has performed the duty as an Additional Advocate General (AAG) for Madhya Pradesh. He was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in 2003, and became permanent judge of the same court in January 2004.
3. Justice Subhasis Talapatra Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Tripura HC
Justice Subhasis Talapatra, senior-most Judge of Tripura High Court, will perform the duties of Acting Chief Justice of the same court, following the elevation of Chief Justice Ajay Rastogi to the Supreme Court.
4. Justice Akil Kureshi Appointed as Acting Chief Justice Of Gujarat HC
Justice Akil Abdulhamid Kureshi , senior most Judge of Gujarat High Court, has been appointed as its Acting Chief Justice amid confusion and protests on account of Cenre’s notification issued yesterday on appointment of Justice AS Dave, the second-most senior judge of the Gujarat HC, as the Acting Chief Justice of the court.
In fact, the Central Government has notified yesterday transfer of Justice Akil Kureshi to the Bombay High Court, where he was expected to take charge “on or before November 15”. However, the government has issued a clarificatory notification confirming Justice Kureshi’s appointment as Acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat HC today.
Justice Kureshi’s appointment has been made consequent upon the elevation of Justice Subhash Reddy to the Supreme Court.
