Justice Rao takes over as the new Chief Justice of Himachal High Court
Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao today took over as the new chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court this post was vacant after the retirement of Justice AA Sayed who retired on January 23, 2023.
Mr. Justice M S Ramachandran Rao after swearing as 28th Chief Justice at Rajbhavan assumed charge at High Court today.
Chief Justice was given a Red Carpet Welcome and Guard of Honour in the High Court premises.
Full Court Welcome Address, in honor of the 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 the disposal of cases that are more than five years old and cases of senior citizens.
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 the need for 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 cooperation 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 the 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 honor 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.
Biodata–
Mr Rao was born on 07.08.1966, in Hyderabad. He topped Osmania University in B.Sc. (Hons.) Mathematics course. He passed his LL.B. from the University College of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1989 and was awarded CVSS Acharyulu Gold Medal for securing the highest marks.
He enrolled as an Advocate on 07.09.1989. He secured LLM. 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 the Supreme Court of India and former Chairman of the 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 the office on 12.10.2021.