Justice vibhu bakhru sworn in as new chief justice of karnataka high court

Justice vibhu bakhru sworn in as new chief justice of karnataka high court

Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot Saturday administered the oath of office to Justice Vibhu Bakhru, the new Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The ceremony was conducted at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru and attended by several dignitaries, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

Chief Justice Bakhru’s posting had come after a May 26 meeting of the Supreme Court collegium and was announced amid a series of transfers to and from several high courts.

Originally hailing from Nagpur, Chief Justice Bakhru had practiced as an advocate in Delhi since 1990, obtaining a senior designation in 2011 and a posting as Additional Judge at the Delhi High Court in 2013. He had also recently served as Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court from December 5, 2024, to January 2025.

Speaking in the wake of a welcome event organised by the Karnataka State Bar Council at Court Hall 1 of the high court, Chief Justice Bakhru said, ‘I am deeply honoured… the Bar Council of Karnataka has welcomed me today… It is a privilege to assume to office of Chief Justice in a state that has made such enduring contributions to the legal and constitutional development of our nation.’

He added, ‘I invite you (advocates) to work with me not just as officers of the court but as guardians of public trust and the justice system… If there is any reasonable suggestion or demand which I am convinced will better this institution, and I have the ability to execute it, I will.’

Justices D K Singh and J Banerji were also sworn in to the Karnataka High Court, having been posted here from the Kerala and Allahabad High Courts, respectively.

Saturday was also the last day in the Karnataka High Court for Acting Chief Justice V Kameswar Rao, who has been transferred back to the Delhi High Court, where he originally began service as a judge alongside Chief Justice Bakhru in 2013.

Delivering a farewell address at the high court, he said, ‘It has indeed been both an honour and a privilege to be part of this high court. These 14 months have passed as swiftly as an autumn breeze, but they left behind rich experiences and lasting memories…’