Central Government Notifies Appointment of Justice TS Sivagnanam as Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
The Central Government has recently notified the appointment of Justice TS Sivagnanam as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. He will be taking charge of the office after the retirement of the current Chief Justice on April 29, 2023.
Justice Sivagnanam has been serving as a Judge of the Madras High Court since 2018. He has also served as an Additional Judge of the same court for a brief period in 2016. With his appointment as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, he will be the first Judge from outside West Bengal to hold the post in 20 years.
This move comes after the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Sivagnanam’s name for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. However, the Centre had not cleared the appointment and decided to appoint him as the Acting Chief Justice for the time being.
The appointment of Justice Sivagnanam as the Acting Chief Justice is significant in the context of the long-standing demand for the appointment of permanent Judges in the Calcutta High Court. The High Court has been functioning with less than 50% of its sanctioned strength of Judges, leading to a backlog of cases and delays in the delivery of justice.
B) Why this News is important:
Appointment of Justice TS Sivagnanam as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court is significant for several reasons. The news holds importance for students who are preparing for civil services and judicial exams. Here’s why:
Demand for Permanent Judges: The Calcutta High Court has been functioning with less than 50% of its sanctioned strength of Judges for a long time now. This has led to a backlog of cases and delays in the delivery of justice. The appointment of Justice Sivagnanam as the Acting Chief Justice is important in this context, as it may help expedite the process of appointing permanent Judges to the Court.
Judicial Reforms: The appointment of Justice Sivagnanam is a step towards judicial reforms, which are much-needed in the Indian judicial system. Students who are preparing for civil services and judicial exams must keep a track of such appointments and reforms to stay updated on the latest developments.
C) Historical context:
The Calcutta High Court is one of the oldest High Courts in India. It was established in 1862 and has been functioning since then. Over the years, it has played a crucial role in the Indian judicial system, delivering landmark judgments on several important issues. The Court has seen many Acting Chief Justices in the past, but the appointment of Justice Sivagnanam is significant as he will be the first Judge from outside West Bengal to hold the post in 20 years.
D) Key Takeaways from “Central Government Notifies Appointment of Justice TS Sivagnanam as Acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court”:
| Serial No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1. | Justice TS Sivagnanam has been appointed as the acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. |
| 2. | He will be serving in this position following the retirement of the previous Chief Justice. |
| 3. | The appointment has been made by the Central government. |
| 4. | Justice TS Sivagnanam has previously served as a judge in the Madras High Court. |
| 5. | The Chief Justice of a High Court plays a crucial role in the appointment of judges and the overall functioning of the High Court. |
Important FAQs for Students from this News
Q: Who is Justice TS Sivagnanam?
A: Justice TS Sivagnanam is a judge who has been appointed as the acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
Q: Why was an acting Chief Justice appointed?
A: An acting Chief Justice was appointed because the previous Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court retired from his post.
Q: What is the role of the Chief Justice of a High Court?
A: The Chief Justice of a High Court is the head of the judiciary in that state or union territory. They are responsible for the overall functioning of the High Court and play a key role in the appointment of judges.
Q: How is a Chief Justice appointed?
A: The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
Q: How long can an acting Chief Justice serve in their position?
A: An acting Chief Justice can serve for a maximum period of six months.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
