Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari Takes Charge as Chief Justice of Madras High Court
Synopsis
In a significant legal development, Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari has been officially appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. This appointment marks a pivotal moment following the retirement of his predecessor. Read on to learn more about his career and the Supreme Court's recommendation.
Key Takeaways
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari is now the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court .
The appointment follows a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium .
Justice Dharmadhikari has a robust background in law, with 24 years of advocacy experience.
He previously served as a judge of the Kerala High Court .
His appointment signifies a major change in the judiciary landscape.
New Delhi, Mar 5 (NationPress) On Thursday, the government approved the elevation of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari to the position of Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, following a recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium.
"Utilizing the authority granted by the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consulting with the Chief Justice of India, has appointed Shri Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, currently a Judge at the High Court of Kerala, as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Madras, effective from the date he takes charge of his duties," stated Union Minister of State (I/C) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a post on X.
The Collegium, led by CJI Surya Kant, put forth its recommendation during a meeting on February 26. Justice Dharmadhikari, whose home High Court is Madhya Pradesh, was appointed following the retirement of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava on March 5.
Born on July 9, 1966, in Raipur, Justice Dharmadhikari was initially designated as an additional judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in April 2016 and subsequently took his oath as a permanent judge on March 17, 2018.
Prior to his judicial appointment, he spent 24 years practicing in civil, criminal, and constitutional law at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Last year, Justice Dharmadhikari was transferred to the Kerala High Court from his previous position at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
In April 2025, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification confirming that the President, after consulting with the Chief Justice of India, had sanctioned his transfer under Article 222 of the Constitution.
According to a statement released on the apex court's website, "The Supreme Court Collegium during its meetings on March 20, March 24, and April 3, 2025, recommended the transfer of Mr. Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, to the High Court of Kerala."
Point of View
The appointment of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court represents a significant transition in the Indian judiciary. His extensive experience and legal background position him as a capable leader, particularly in light of the recent retirement of the former chief justice. This move emphasizes the ongoing evolution within India’s judicial framework.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari?
Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari is a judge who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, previously serving at the Kerala High Court.
When was Justice Dharmadhikari appointed as Chief Justice?
He was appointed on March 5, following the recommendation from the Supreme Court Collegium.
What is the educational background of Justice Dharmadhikari?
Justice Dharmadhikari has over 24 years of experience as an advocate in civil, criminal, and constitutional law before his judicial appointment.
What was his previous position before becoming Chief Justice?
Before his current appointment, he was a judge at the Kerala High Court.
What is the significance of this appointment?
This appointment marks a significant transition in the judiciary following the retirement of the previous chief justice.
