By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday congratulated Justice Justice Mohammad Rafiq after being sworn-in as Odisha High Court’s 31st Chief Justice repacing active CJ , Justice Sanju Panda.
“Congratulate Justice Mohammad Rafiq on being appointed as Hon’ble Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. Welcome him to #Odisha and wish him a successful tenure,” the Odisha Chief Minister Patnaik twitted.
Earlier in the day amid COVID-19 lockdown, in a simple ceremony, Justice Mohammad Rafiq was on Monday took oath as the 31st Chief Justice of Orissa High Court at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. He was administered oath of office by Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal.
On April 23, President Ram Nath Kovind, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, transferred Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.
The Odisha High Court has been functioning under the Acting Chief Justice Sanju Panda since January 5, 2020 following the retirement of Justice Kalpesh Satyendra Jhaveri.
Born in Sujangarh, Churu, Justice Rafiq started his law practice in 1984. He practiced exclusively in the Rajasthan High Court in almost all branches of law. He served as an advocate from 1999 to 2006.
In 2008, he was appointed as Justice at the Rajasthan High Court.Justice Rafiq was elevated as the Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court in November 2019.