Madras: Justice SA Dharmadhikari has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, following approval from the Central Government and a formal notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The appointment came after the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium, and it fills the vacancy created by the retirement of the previous Chief Justice.
Centre Approves Appointment of Justice SA Dharmadhikari
The Central Government of India has officially cleared the appointment of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
The announcement was confirmed by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who said the appointment was made by the President of India after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, as required under the Constitution.
According to the official notification, Justice Dharmadhikari will assume charge as Chief Justice from the date he takes oath of office.
Background of Justice SA Dharmadhikari Appointment
Justice Dharmadhikari’s elevation comes after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his name on 26 February 2026 for the top post in the Madras High Court.
The recommendation was made to fill the vacancy created due to the retirement of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava on 5 March 2026.
Once the Collegium recommendation was sent to the government, the Centre approved it and issued the official notification.
Who is Justice SA Dharmadhikari?
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari is a senior judge with decades of experience in India’s judiciary.
Early life and education
- Born on 8 July 1966 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- Completed B.Com and LL.B from Nagpur University.
Legal career
- Began legal practice in 1992, mainly at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
- Practised in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters for more than two decades.
Government legal roles
During his career as a lawyer, he represented several government institutions including:
- Union of India
- Income Tax Department
- Reserve Bank of India
- Central Excise Department
He also served as Standing Counsel for the Union Government from 2000 to 2015.
Judicial Career Timeline
Justice Dharmadhikari’s judicial journey includes key milestones:
- 2016: Appointed as Additional Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
- 2018: Confirmed as a Permanent Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
- April 2025: Transferred to the Kerala High Court.
- March 2026: Elevated as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court.
This progression reflects his long experience across multiple High Courts in India.
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