Centre Notifies Justice M. Duraiswamy's Appointment As Acting Chief Justice Of Madras HC Until Justice MN Bhandari Joins HC

The Central government today notified the Appointment of Madras High Court judge Justice M. Duraiswamy as the acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court. He would remain on the post till the time, Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari take over from him.

Significantly, Justice MN Bhandari would become the Senior Most judge of the Madras High Court once he joins the Court pursuant to his recent transfer from Allahabad High Court to Madras HC and therefore, he would take over the post of ACJ from Justice Duraiswamy.

Justice Duraiswamy's appointment will be effective from Wednesday. 

This notification by the Central Government comes two days after the transfer of Mr. Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Chief Justice, Madras High Court to Meghalaya High Court was notified by the Central Government.

The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on 16th September 2021, had recommended the transfer of Mr. Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Chief Justice, Madras High Court to Meghalaya High Court.

A notification issued in this regard states thus:

"In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Justice M. Duraiswamy, senior-most Judge of the Madras High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, with effect from 17.11.2021 consequent upon transfer of Shri Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court as Chief Justice, Meghalaya High Court until the joining of Shri Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari in the Madras High Court on transfer from Allahabad High Court, who will become the senior-most Judge in the Madras High Court and will thereafter perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court."

Justice Bhandari hails from Rajasthan High Court, where he was appointed as a judge on July 5, 2007. He joined the Allahabad High Court upon transfer on March 15, 2019. He was the Acting Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court from June 26, 2021 till October 11, 2021 when Justice Rajesh Bindal took charge as the Chief Justice.

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Read Centre's notification