In a significant development, the Centre has appointed Justice Vibhu Bakhru as the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. This decision comes shortly after the elevation of the incumbent Chief Justice Manmohan to the Supreme Court of India.
A notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice on Tuesday announced the appointment, stating, “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Judge of the Delhi High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Manmohan relinquishes charge of his office following his elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.”
Article 223 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to appoint any puisne judge as the acting Chief Justice when the office of the Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant, or when the Chief Justice is absent or otherwise unable to fulfill their duties. Justice Bakhru’s appointment is effective from the day Justice Manmohan formally relinquishes his charge.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru, born in 1966 in Nagpur, has a distinguished background. He studied in Delhi and initially enrolled with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. After completing his B.Com (Hon) from Delhi University, he cleared his Chartered Accountancy exams in 1989 and later pursued an LLB degree. Bakhru began his legal career by practicing in the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, Company Law Board, and various Tribunals.
He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court in 2013 and made a Permanent Judge in 2015. With a career marked by consistent professionalism and legal expertise, Justice Bakhru now steps into this new role just as Justice Manmohan’s elevation to the Supreme Court has been finalized.
Earlier in the day, the Centre announced Justice Manmohan’s elevation as a Supreme Court judge, following the recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium. The Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, shared the news on X, confirming that the President, after consulting the Chief Justice of India, had appointed Justice Manmohan to the Supreme Court.
Justice Manmohan, who has served as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court since September 29, is the senior-most judge in the High Court and holds the second position in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges. He was appointed as a judge to the Delhi High Court in March 2008.
Justice Bakhru’s appointment as Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court ensures the smooth continuation of the court’s proceedings until a permanent replacement is appointed. His vast experience and expertise make him a natural choice for this interim role.
Sources By Agencies