Justice Tarlok Chauhan Appointed As Acting Chief Justice Of Himachal Pradesh High Court; Centre Fails To Notify Justice Sabina’s Appointment As CJ

The Union government on Tuesday notified the appointment of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan as the acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court with effect from April 20. Justice Chauhan is the senior-most puisne judge of the high court.

"In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint, Shri Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, senior-most puisne Judge of Himachal Pradesh High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from 20.04.2023 consequent upon the retirement of Smt. Justice Sabina, Acting Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court," the Ministry of Law and Justice said in the notification.

Justice Chauhan pursued a degree in Law from Panjab University, Chandigarh and enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh in 1989. He was elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh in 2014.

Justice Sabina set to retire on Wednesday

Justice Chauhan's notification for appointment as acting CJ precedes the forthcoming retirement of Justice Sabina, who is the current acting Chief Justice of the high court. The Supreme Court Collegium on February 07 had recommended her name for the post of Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh. However, the union government failed to issue the notification. She will retire on April 19.

"... having regard to the seniority of Ms. Justice Sabina, the Collegium resolves to recommend that she be appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh as she is fit and suitable in all respects for the same. Ms. Justice Sabina shall have a tenure of about two months before she retires as Chief Justice on 19 April 2023," the Collegium had said in the resolution. 

Justice Sabina was appointed on 12.03.2008 as a judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. She was transferred to Rajasthan High Court and assumed office of a Judge there on 11.04.2016. She was later transferred to Himachal Pradesh High Court, and took oath on 08.10.2021. She assumed charge of the office of Chief Justice (Acting) on January 21 this year.