Rajiv Shakdher sworn in as 29th Chief Justice of High Court of Himachal Pradesh

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 26 (ANI): Justice Rajiv Shakdher, has been sworn in as 29th Chief Justice of High Court of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, administered the oath of office to the newly appointed Chief Justice at Raj Bhawan, in a simple but an impressive ceremony, Public Relations Officer, High Court of HP said in a press release.
He will replace Chief Justice MS Ramachandra Rao, who has recently been appointed as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court. Ramachandra Rao was made the Chief Justice of Himachal in May 2023. Rajiv Shakdhar will retire on October 18. Accordingly, his tenure is less than a month.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, was born on October 19, 1962. He studied in St Columba's School, Delhi. He graduated in BCom (Hons) from Delhi University in 1984 and obtained LLB degree from Law Faculty, University of Delhi in 1987.
He enrolled as an Advocate on November 19, 1987. He completed Chartered Accountancy from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in 1987 and was admitted as an Associate Member with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India on January 29, 1988.
Justice Shakdher pursued Advanced Course of Law at Institute of Advanced Legal Studies from University of London in 1994. He was designated as Senior Advocate on December 8, 2005.
Justice Shakdher practiced in the Supreme Court of India, High Court of Delhi and other High Courts of India, Tax Tribunals, DRT, BIFR, AAIFR, MRTP and Company Law Board. He has vast experience in civil litigation, constitutional law, with special emphasis on commercial litigation, corporate and taxation laws.
He was appointed as a counsel for the Union of India on March 13, 1995 by the Government of India with respect to its cases in the High Court of Delhi. He was appointed on the Senior Panel of the Union of India in the Delhi High Court on July 20, 2004 till July 20, 2007. He was appointed in 2005 to the Union of India Panel in the Supreme Court of India.
After taking oath at Raj Bhawan, the Chief Justice was given Red Carpet Welcome and Guard of Honour in the High Court premises. A full Court Welcome Address, in honour of new Chief Justice, was held in the Court of Chief Justice.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Justice said that his door is open to redress the grievance for all without any discrimination.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan said that it is a matter of great privilege and honour to welcome Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who has been given the responsibility to head this High Court in the beautiful State of H.P, also known as Dev Bhumi.
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan said that Justice Rajiv Shakdher has delivered a number of landmark judgments and always acknowledged for his intelligence, integrity and hard-work.
Justice Chauhan further said, "Justice Shakdher has maintained consistency and momentum to clear the backlog of cases in whatever roster he was assigned. He is known to be a very pleasant Judge who always made it a point to give patient hearing to the parties. He has also ensured that the judgments are delivered expeditiously after conclusion of hearing. On the Bench, Justice Shakdher is known to be courteous and his willingness to listen which has gained him admiration and respect from the members of the Bar."
Anup Rattan, Advocate General, Lovneesh Kanwar Chairman, Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh, Dalip Singh Kaisth, President Bar Association, HP High Court and Balram Sharma, Deputy Solicitor General of India also spoke on the occasion.
Judges of High Court of HP Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Justice Sandeep Sharma, Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua and Justice Satyen Vaidya, Justice Sushil Kukreja, Justice Virender Singh, Justice Ranjan Sharma, Justice Rakesh Kainthla were also present on the occasion. The Registrar General conducted the proceedings. (ANI)