Hon'ble Judges Elevated as Chief Justices of Other High Courts

Hon'ble Shri Justice Gangadhar Ganesh Sohani was born on 18th December, 1928. He obtained education from Victoria College, Gwalior, Allahabad University, Government Law College, Bombay and School of Economics, Bombay. After enrolment as an advocate, he started practice in civil, criminal and labour cases at Indore. He was appointed as Deputy Government Advocate from August, 1961 to February, 1970. His Lordship was appointed as Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 2nd June, 1973. He was appointed acting Chief Justice of High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 20.10.1989 His Lordship was appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 20th October, 1989. His Lordship was transferred to the Patna High Court on 24th October, 1989. His Lordship demitted the office of the Chief Justice on 18th December, 1990.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Gulab Gupta was born on 1st March, 1933 at Munendragarh in Sarguja District. He passed out B.A. Examination with First Division in 1954 from the Allahabad University. He had the coveted honour of being placed as First Class in the LL.B. Examination of the Allahabad University in 1956. He was awarded Gold Medal for securing the highest number of marks in Political Science at the B.A. Examination in 1956 and was also awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for being the best student of Law Faculty in the Allahabad University in 1956. Three Gold Medals were awarded to him for topping the list of successful Law candidates in 1956 and was awarded scholarship by the Ford Foundation, USA for study of Law at Yale Law School in 1957. He also obtained degree of Master of Law from Yale University, USA in 1958. He had been an active member of the High Court Bar Association and was its President since 1981. He was also a Member of the State Law Commission since 1981. After obtaining Master’s Degree in Labour Laws from Yale University, he started Law practice in his hometown for a short spell. He actively joined M.P. Colliery Workers Federation and after affiliation with Indian National Trade Union Congress, fought for welfare, better socio-economic status and service conditions of workers as community of workers suffered exploitation at the hands of private management of collieries. He was General Secretary of the Federation. His Lordship was appointed as Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 20th June, 1983. He was appointed Chief Justice of Himachal High Court on 17.09.1994. His Lordship demitted the office on 28.02.1995.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Krishna Murari Agarwal was born on 27th October, 1934 at Arang, District Raipur. He did his Matriculation in 1952 from Nagpur Board. After graduating in 1956 from Sagar University, Justice Agarwal did his post-graduation in Political Science. He was conferred Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1960 from Raipur securing 4th rank in the merit list. While studying Law, he was also associated with a Hindi daily Deshbandhu published from Raipur as its Sub-Editor. After getting enrolled as a Pleader in September, 1960, he commenced his career in the legal profession from District Court, Raipur. In 1962, he got himself enrolled with the State Bar Council of M.P. His Lordship was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 14th May, 1984 and permanent Judge on 14th May, 1986. In April, 1994, he was transferred to Andhra Pradesh High Court. He went on to become the Acting Chief Justice of that Court for sometime. On 15th February, 1996, he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court, which office he demitted on 27th October, 1996 on attaining the age of superannuation.

Hon'ble Shri Justice Rajeev Gupta was born at Gwalior on 10th October, 1950. His Lordship obtained B.A and LL.B. Degrees from Jiwaji University, Gwalior and thereafter started practice in High Court of Madhya Pradesh from November, 1973 and continued till 1994. His Lordship was appointed as Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 27th September, 1994. He was appointed as Chief Justice of Kerala High Court on 27th April, 2005 and thereafter was transferred to High Court of Uttarakhand at Nainital and assumed charge on 14th January, 2006 as Chief Justice. His Lordship was transferred to Chhattisgarh High Court on 2nd February, 2008. His Lordship demitted the office of the Chief Justice on 9th October, 2012.

Hon’ble Shri Justice R.S. Garg was born on 18th June, 1948. He enrolled as an Advocate on 27th August, 1971 and started practice on Civil, Criminal, Revenue, Constitutional, Taxation, Labour, Co-operative, Excise & Custom sides in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Indore. He was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 15th December, 1994 and Permanent Judge on 19th July, 1995. On bifurcation of the State of Madhya Pradesh into Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, he was appointed as the first Judge & Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Chhatisgarh. He worked in Chhatisgarh for the period between 1st November, 2000 to 31st October, 2001. On his transfer to Bihar, he worked as a Judge of the High Court of Patna from 1st November, 2001 to 26th February, 2005. He was transferred as a Judge of the High Court of Gujarat on 28th February, 2005 and thereafter was transferred to High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 17th September, 2007. His Lordship was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of High court of Madhya Pradesh from 16th November, 2009 to 19th December, 2009. His Lordship was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on 17th April, 2010 and demitted office of Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on 18th June, 2010.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Uma Nath Singh was born on 15th January, 1954. He did his graduation from Ewing Christian College, Allahabad and Post-Graduation in Political Science and Graduation in Law from the University of Allahabad. He enrolled as an advocate by Bar Council, Delhi on 23rd April, 1982 and thereafter registered as an advocate on Record of the Supreme Court of India in March, 1987. He practised in the Supreme Court of India for more than 19 years in all typed of cases. He was also counsel to handle Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster cased and was advocate on record and standing counsel for State of Madhya Pradesh since October 1988 till elevation to Bench. His Lordship was elevated as an Additional Judge in Madhya Pradesh High Court on 22.10.2001 and took oath as a permanent Judge in April, 2002. His Lordship was transferred to Punjab & Haryana High Court and took oath of the office on 02.12.2004. Thereafter His Lordship was transferred to Allahabad High Court and took oath of the office on 30.06.2009. He was Executive Chairman of U. P. State Legal Services Authority. His Lordship was transferred to High Court of Meghalaya and took oath of the office on 27th August, 2014 and appointed as Chief Justice (Acting) on 27th August, 2014. He took oath of the office of Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya on 19th March, 2015. He demitted the Office on 14th January 2016.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Ajit Singh was born on 6th September, 1956 in the illustrious family of late Hon’ble Shri Justice G.P. Singh who is remembered as a doyen and a scholar and had adorned the office of the Chief Justice of this High Court. After graduating in law from Rani Durgawati University, Jabalpur, His Lordship got himself enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh on 18th October, 1979 and started practice on the Civil, Criminal and Constitutional sides in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur. His Lordship was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 1st April, 2002 and thereafter appointed as a Permanent Judge on 21st March, 2003. Hon’ble Shri Justice Singh also worked as the Chairman of the Advisory Board constituted under the National Security Act and in administrative matters of the High Court, as Administrative Judge and member of various Administrative Committees. He also discharged the duties of the office of Executive Chairman, Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority. His Lordship was transferred to Rajasthan High Court on 19.03.2015 and thereafter took oath of the office of Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court on 05.03.2016. His Lordship demitted the office on 5th September, 2018.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Rajendra Menon was born on 7th June, 1957. Initially he studied in the Christ Church Boys Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur from where he passed out the Higher Secondary Examination in the year 1974. Thereafter, he studied in the Government Science College, Jabalpur from where he did his Graduation in Science in the year 1977. Subsequently he did his Graduation in law from NES Law College, Jabalpur in the year 1981. After obtaining Degree of Law, he was enrolled as an Advocate with the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh on 27.07.1981 and started practice in the chamber of late Shri P. Sadasivan Nair, Senior Advocate of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. He became Additional Central Government standing Counsel in January, 2000 and was also Counsel for Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, Hari Singh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Coal India Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, Manganese Ore India Limited, New India Assurance Co. Ltd., various Banks and private sector undertaking. He also represented various Trade Union Organisations in important Industrial Disputes Matters. Hon’ble Shri Justice Rajendra Menon was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and took oath on 01.04.2002. He was appointed as Permanent Judge of this Court on 21.03.2003. His Lordship was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 13th May, 2016. His Lordship was appointed as Chief Justice of High Court of Judicature at Patna on 15th March, 2017 and thereafter on being transferred from Patna, His Lordship took oath of office of Chief Justice of High Court of Delhi on 09.08.2018. His Lordship demitted the office of Chief Justice on 6th June, 2019.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Ravi Shanker Jha was born on 14th October, 1961. He is son of late Shri Arun Shanker Jha, who is great grandson of Rai Saheb Pandit Lajja Shanker Jha, founder of Government Pt. Lajja Shanker Jha Model School of Excellence, Jabalpur and grandson of Padma Bhushan Dr. V.S. Jha, Ex. Vice Chancellor of B.H.U., Chairman, Common Wealth Education Liason, London etc. His Lordship studied in Delhi upto 1971 and thereafter studied in Christ Church (Boys) School upto 1971, Kendriya Vidyalaya (GCF) Jabalpur from 1972-73 to 1975-76. He passed Higher Secondary (HSC) from St. Aloysius Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur in 1979. His Lordship obtained Bachelor degree of Science (B.Sc.) in 1982 from Government Science College, Jabalpur under Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur and Master of Science (M.Sc.)(Ag) Plant Photology, only first year, from Jawahar Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur in 1983. After obtaining degree in law (LL.B.) in 1986 from University Teaching Department, Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, His Lordship got enrolled himself as an Advocate on 20.09.1986 with the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh and joined the chamber of Hon’ble Shri Justice P.P. Naolekar in 1986 (when he was a lawyer, now former Hon’ble Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Lokayukta, Madhya Pradesh). Hon’ble Shri Justice Ravi Shanker Jha worked as Government Advocate for the State of Madhya Pradesh since March, 1994 and also held office of Deputy Advocate General of the State of Madhya Pradesh (youngest ever) since August, 1996 to July, 2005. His Lordship was in active and continuous practice in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh since the day of enrolment and the CAT and SAT since their establishment and continuously and extensively dealt with Constitutional vires matters, TAX, N.S.A. Election and other Constitutional Matters for the State of Madhya Pradesh apart from civil services, constitutional and criminal matters. His Lordship was Counsel for the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Bhilai Steel Plant, Food Corporation of India, M.P. State Minor Forest Produce Trading & Development Federation, M.P.A.Y.N., M.P.A.K.V.N., Municipal Corporation, Jabalpur, Municipal Corporation, Indore, counsel for Pollution Control Board, Forest Research Institute and several other Public Sector Companies and Government and Semi Government Organizations. Hon’ble Shri Justice Ravi Shanker Jha was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 18th October, 2005 and thereafter as Permanent Judge on 2nd February, 2007. On administrative side, Hon’ble Shri Justice Ravi Shanker Jha was Chairman/Member of various committees of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh. His Lordship was also Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, High Court of Madhya Pradesh and Judge-in-Charge, Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy, High Court of Madhya Pradesh. He became Chairman of Advisory Board under various enactments on 18.03.2019. His Lordship was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 10th June, 2019. His Lordship was appointed as Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court on 6th October, 2019.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav was born on 26th June, 1959. After finishing schooling from Christ Church Boy’s Higher Secondary School, Jabalpur, His Lordship obtained Bachelor degree of Arts from St. Aloysius College, Jabalpur. He obtained Post Graduation degree of M.A. in Economics from Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur. After obtaining degree in law (LL.B.) from Hitkarini Law College, Jabalpur, His Lordship got enrolled himself as an Advocate on 25.08.1986 with the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh. Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav worked as Government Advocate for the State of Madhya Pradesh since March, 1999 and also held office of Deputy Advocate General of the State of Madhya Pradesh since October, 2005, which post he held till his elevation as Judge of the High Court. Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 2nd March, 2007 and as Permanent Judge on 15th January, 2010. To dispose of administrative matters, His Lordship was nominated Administrative Judge of Bench Gwalior of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 30.06.2017. He became Administrative Judge of Main Seat, Jabalpur of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 04.11.2019. His Lordship also worked as Executive Chairman of Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Jabalpur. His Lordship was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 6th October, 2019 till 2nd November, 2019 and again with effect from 30th September, 2020 till 2nd January, 2021. Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay Yadav was transferred as Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on 8th January, 2021. He was acting Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court w.e.f. 14th April, 2021 and took oath as Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court on 13th June, 2021. His Lordship demitted the office of Chief Justice on 25th June, 2021.

Hon’ble Shri Justice Prakash Shrivastava was born on 31st March, 1961. After completing graduation and obtaining LL.B. degree, he was enrolled as an Advocate on 2nd February, 1987. He started practiced on Tax, Civil and Constitutional sides in the Supreme Court of India at New Delhi. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 18th January, 2008 and Permanent Judge on 15th January, 2010. Hon’ble Shri Justice Prakash Shrivastava was appointed as Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court and took oath as the Chief Justice of High Court at Calcutta on 11th October, 2021.

Hon'ble Shri Justice Alok Aradhe was born on 13th April, 1964 at Raipur. After obtaining B.Sc. and LL.B. degrees, he enrolled as Advocate on 12th July, 1988. He was designated as Senior Advocate in April, 2007. He revised the 5th and 6th Editions of Principles of Administrative Law by M.P. Jain and S.N. Jain with Late Hon'ble Shri Justice G.P. Singh, former Chief Justice of High Court of Madhya Pradesh. He was Visiting Faculty in Judicial Officers Training and Research Institute to address Judicial officers on various issues. He practiced on Civil & Constitutional, Arbitration and Company Matters in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur. He was appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 29th December, 2009 and Permanent Judge on 15th February, 2011. His Lordship was transferred to High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on 16th September, 2016 and took oath of office on 20th September, 2016. He was nominated as Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir State Judicial Academy. His Lordship was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and functioned as such upto 10.08.2018. He was nominated as Executive Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir State Legal Services Authority vide SRO No. 369 dated 4th September 2018. On transfer to Karnataka High Court, His Lordship took oath as Judge of Karnataka High Court on 17.11.2018 and His Lordship assumed charge as the Acting Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court on 03.07.2022

Hon’ble Shri Justice Sheel Nagu Born on 1^st January, 1965. Enrolled as an Advocate on 5^th October, 1987. Practised on Civil and Constitutional sides as Advocate in the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur. Appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 27^th May, 2011 and as a Permanent Judge on 23^rd May, 2013. Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 25, 2024. Hon’ble Shri Justice Sheel Nagu was appointed as Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana and took oath as the Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana on 09th July, 2024.