SJ Mukhopadhyaya is new Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court

The President of India yesterday appointed Justice S J Mukhopadhyay, senior most judge in Madras High Court, as new Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court.

Gujarat Governor Dr Kamla will administer the oath of office to the newly appointed Chief Justice tomorrow at a function at Raj Bhawan(Governor house) in Gandhinagar in presence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, Speaker of Gujarat Vidhansabha, High Court judges, senior government officials and other dignitaries.

Justice Mukhopadhyay will take over as Chief Justice from Justice M S Shah, who was acting Chief Justice following the elevation of Justice K S Radhakrishnan to the Supreme Court.

About Justice Mukhopadhyaya

Mr. Justice S.J.Mukhopadhaya born on 15th March,1950, is the son of Late Sarojendu Mukherjee who was himself a leading practitioner specially in Service law in Patna High Court. He passed B.Sc. examination in 1971 from Magadh University. He obtained his LL.B Degree in 1979 from Patna University. Enrolled as an Advocate on 18th May 1979 and practiced at Patna and Ranchi Bench of Patna High Court in Constitutional, Service, Civil and Criminal matters. He was designated as Senior Advocate in February, 1993.

Appointed as a Permanent Judge of the Patna High Court on 8th November, 1994. As a Judge, decided several important civil and Constitutional cases including deciding the vires of Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, wherein held that the limit of reservation of 50% as upheld by the Supreme Court of India, is equally applicable, so far as article 243D and/or Panchayat Raj Act is concerned. Also held in the said judgment that reservation for the seat of “Mukhiya” or “Pramukh” or “Adhyakchh”, reservation of solitary post amounts to 100% reservation which is not permissible. The permissible limit being 50%, therefore no reservation can be made for Mukhiya/Pramukh/Adhyakchh. By notification dated 14th November, 2000 became the Judge of the Jharkhand High Court w.e.f. 15th November 2000. Transferred to Madras High Court on 31.08.2006. Functioned as Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court from 09.05.2008 to 18.05.2008. Active as senior most Judge in Madras High Court since then, Mr. Mukhopadhyay is now Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court appointed by the President of India.