In a significant development, the Central Government has officially announced the appointments of the new Chief Justices for two prominent High Courts in India. Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, while Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya brings with him a wealth of experience from his service as a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court for the past 11 years. During his tenure, he presided over various cases, gaining valuable expertise in administering justice in one of the largest high courts in the country, comprising 160 judges.
The elevation of Justice Upadhyaya to the position of Chief Justice of Bombay High Court reflects the recognition of his competence and suitability by the Collegium of the Supreme Court. This appointment ensures that the Allahabad High Court is appropriately represented among the chief justices of high courts across India.
Born on June 16, 1965, Justice Upadhyaya earned his law degree from Lucknow University in 1991 and subsequently became a registered advocate, specializing in Civil and Constitutional cases at the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. He was elevated as an additional judge on November 21, 2011, and later appointed as a permanent judge on August 6, 2013.
Meanwhile, Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, a distinguished judge on the Bombay High Court, has been assigned the responsibility of Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The appointment comes after the former Chief Justice, Prashant Kumar Mishra, was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 19.
Justice Thakur’s judicial journey includes serving as a judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir in 2013. He was later transferred to the Bombay High Court in June 2022, where he has earned a reputation for his commitment to upholding the principles of justice.
With these new appointments, the Bombay and Andhra Pradesh High Courts welcome the leadership of experienced and capable justices, poised to guide their respective courts in delivering fair and effective justice for the people they serve.