Raipur: The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended appointment of Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra as the chief justice of Chhattisgarh high court.
If approved by the Central Government, Justice Mohapatra will become the next Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court after the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Ramesh Sinha. The recommendation is part of the Collegium’s ongoing efforts to fill leadership positions in High Courts across India.
The recommendation was made during a Collegium meeting held on August 31, 2026. The proposal now awaits approval from the Centre before the appointment becomes official.
Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, currently a judge of the Orissa High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court.
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The recommendation comes ahead of the retirement of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, who is set to demit office this month. If cleared by the Union Government, Justice Mohapatra will assume charge shortly after the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice.
Who Is Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra is a senior judge of the Orissa High Court, with over three decades of distinguished service in the Indian legal system.
Early Life and Education
- Birth: Born on April 18, 1965.
- Family Background: Son of the late Justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, former Judge of the Orissa High Court.
- Academic Background: Earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) followed by a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.).
Legal Career
- Enrolment: Enrolled as an Advocate with the Orissa State Bar Council on February 7, 1988.
- Practice Areas: Practiced for over 26 years across civil, criminal, constitutional, service, and family law (including matters under the Guardians and Wards Act, Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act).
- Institutional Representation: Served as Additional Standing Counsel for the State of Odisha and the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC). He also represented major public and commercial entities, including the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Central Cooperative Banks Ltd., Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd., and Bank of Baroda.
Judicial Career
- Elevation: Elevated as an Additional Judge of the Orissa High Court on April 17, 2015, and subsequently confirmed as a permanent Judge.
- Judicial Focus: During his tenure on the bench, he has adjudicated a wide range of constitutional writs, civil disputes, property claims, and public interest matters, earning a reputation for meticulous case handling and procedural fairness.
FAQs
Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra was elevated as a judge of the Orissa High Court on April 17, 2015.
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, currently a judge of the Orissa High Court, as the next Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court.
No. The recommendation has been made by the Supreme Court Collegium, but it still requires approval from the Central Government and formal appointment by the President of India.
