Justice Vibhu Bakhru sworn in as Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court

Justice Vibhu Bakhru was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court at a ceremony organised at Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru on Saturday.

Governor of Karnataka Thawar Chand Gehlot, administered the oath of office in a ceremony that was also attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

The post of Chief Justice of Karnataka had fallen vacant after the elevation of then Chief Justice NV Anjaria to the Supreme Court.

Justice V Kameswar Rao had then served as the High Court's Acting Chief Justice. Justice Rao was recently repatriated to the Delhi High Court on his request. He was also present at today's swearing-in ceremony.

The newly sworn-in Chief Justice Bakhru was also warmly greeted by members of the Bar at a welcome ceremony held at the High Court this morning.

Chairman of the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) Mittalakod Shidlingappa Shekharappa said,

"You will definitely feel at home at Bengaluru, and the High Court and members of the Karnataka bar extend our warm welcome...Karnataka is a land of beauty and joy ... Kannadigas are tolerant and have great regard and respect for judiciary. We, the members of the bar are responsible partners in the task of dispensation of justice. I assure your lordship that the Karnataka State Bar Council and the legal fraternity will extend its support in this regard."

Chief Justice Bakhru said that he was overwhelmed and deeply honoured by the warmth and graciousness with which the Bar Council of Karnataka has welcomed him, adding that he is accepting his new office with humility and with a sense of responsibility.

"It is a privilege to assume the office of the Chief Justice in a State that has made such enduring contributions to the legal and Constitutional development of our nation. Karnataka has a long distinguished tradition of producing exceptional jurists, scholars and reformers - men and women who have elevated the practice of law and deepened the ideals of justice. We remember with great pride Justice N Venkatachaliah, whose stewardship as the Chief Justice of India brought in wisdom, restraint and dignity. His commitment to human rights and judicial integrity continue to inspire generations," he observed.

He also reaffirmed his allegiance to the Constitution of India.

"Our sworn allegiance is to the Constitution of India; our religion is law. The Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees will not be sustainable if the institutions on which it rests are weak. It's your faith in this institution that sustains it. It's our job to ensure that this faith is not misplaced," he said.

He added that lawyers play a crucial role in ensuring justice is delivered meaningfully, efficiently and sensitively. The Bench and the Bar are not "two sides of a coin"; rather they are collaborators in a shared Constitutional mission, he opined. In this shared journey, lawyers and judges can also draw strength from Karnataka's rich philosophical heritage, he remarked further.

Later today, Justices Jayant Banerji and Dinesh Kumar Singh will also be sworn in as Karnataka High Court judges.

An event will be organised in the afternoon to bid farewell to Justice Rao.

The proposal to appoint Justice Bakhru as the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice was made by the Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai in May this year. He had been serving as a Delhi High Court judge at the time.

The proposal was cleared by the Central government on July 14.

Justice Bakhru was born in Nagpur in 1966 and completed his schooling at Delhi Public School, New Delhi. He pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Delhi University, graduating in 1987, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989.

He later obtained his LL.B. degree in 1990 and enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi the same year. Justice Bakhru built a legal practice before various forums, including the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, Company Law Board and other tribunals. He was designated a Senior Advocate in July 2011.

On April 17, 2013, he was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court, before being made a permanent judge on March 18, 2015.