CHENNAI: Justice KR Shriram was sworn in Chief Justice of Madras High Court on Friday. He has called upon the Bar and the Bench to “collectively work” for enhancing the reputation of the court which has got a history of producing legal luminaries. Governor RN Ravi administered him the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan.
Senior-most judge of Madras High Court Justice D Krishnakumar, who had officiated as the Acting CJ, and other judges greeted him.
Former president Ram Nath Kovind, former Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam, former Supreme Court judge Justice Indira Banerjee were also present.
Justice Shriram enrolled as a lawyer in 1986 after completing law degree from the Mumbai University. He had also completed LLM (maritime law) at the King’s College in London. He was elevated as the judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013 and was later made a permanent judge on March 2, 2016.
Addressing a welcome ceremony organised at the court later, the CJ said, “In the last 150 years, the Madras High Court has produced various legal luminaries. The past achievements give us great pride and casts upon greater responsibility to continuously enhance our reputation. It will be our collective responsibility to add to the glory of this court and maintain it.”
Commencing his address in Tamil, he quoted couplets from Tirukkural to stress the virtues of the judiciary in rendering justice without losing balance.
The scales of justice are held on an even balance by people of virtue and integrity. Justice is seen to be done when judges are upright in words and deeds, the CJ said while quoting certain couplets from Tirukkural.
He is the thirty fourth Chief Justice of Madras High Court, which is one of the chartered high courts of the country, after Independence.
Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman, in his welcome address, informed that Justice Shriram is the first Tamil speaking CJ of the court in the last 43 years, after Justice MM Ismail.