Justice Harish Tandon Takes Oath As 35th Chief Justice Of Orissa High Court

Justice Harish Tandon took oath as the 35^th Chief Justice of Orissa High Court on Wednesday. He was administered the oath of office by Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha. The Judges of the High Court and members of the Bar attended the event which took place in the premises of the High Court.

On March 06, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended the name of Justice Tandon, the senior-most puisne Judge of the Calcutta High Court as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. The Centre had notified his appointment on March 21, 2025.

While proposing his name, the Collegium had acknowledged his seniority, who stands at Serial No. 7 of the All-India High Court Judges Seniority List.

“Before his elevation as Judge of the High Court, he practised in High Court at Calcutta in civil matters. He has acquired extensive experience in dispensing justice. He is considered to be a competent judge and possesses a high level of integrity and conduct required of a person holding high judicial office,” the resolution had further stated.

He will be at the helm of Odisha Judiciary for almost 20 months, if not elevated or transferred, till he retires on November 15, 2026.

Justice Tandon, who was born on November 16, 1964, graduated from Calcutta University in the year 1983 and got his LL.B. degree in 1989. He was enrolled with Bar Council of West Bengal on September 26, 1989 and started practising in the Calcutta High Court.

He predominantly appeared in civil and constitutional cases and practised mainly before the Appellate side of the Calcutta High Court. He also appeared before the City Civil Court, Debt Recovery Tribunal and the Apex Court. He was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Calcutta High Court on April 13, 2010.

Notably, the office of Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court was lying vacant for almost two months consequent upon the superannuation of the former Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on January 19, 2025. In the absence of a regular Chief Justice, the senior-most puisne Judge Justice Arindam Sinha was officiating as the Acting Chief Justice.

On March 20, 2025, the Collegium has recommended to transfer Justice Sinha to the Allahabad High Court, which is yet to cleared by the centre.

With the appointment of Justice Tandon as the new Chief Justice, the working strength of the Orissa High Court rises to 19, against a sanctioned strength of 33. However, the number is all set to decrease again to 18 with the transfer of Justice Sinha. There has been no appointment to the Court since September, 2023. The Court will have three more vacancies by end of the next year with the retirement of Justices Sangam Kumar Sahoo, Chittaranjan Dash and Ananda Chandra Behera.