Ranchi: Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak took oath as the 18th Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court on Friday. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Birsa Mandap in Lok Bhavan, Ranchi, where Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and secrecy to him.
Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar read out the appointment warrant issued by President Droupadi Murmu in both Hindi and English. The event was attended by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, all judges of the Jharkhand High Court, several state government ministers, Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan, family members of Justice Sonak, and senior officials of the state government.
Justice Sonak previously served as a judge at the Bombay High Court. Born on 28 November 1964, he completed his school education from Don Bosco High School, Panaji, Goa. He earned a BSc from Dhempe College of Arts and Science and an LLB with first division from M.S. College of Law, Panaji. Additionally, he holds a diploma in Portuguese from the Xavier Centre of Historical Research.
In October 1988, Justice Sonak was enrolled as an advocate with the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Council. He practised extensively at the Bombay High Court’s Panaji bench in civil and constitutional law, labour and service law, environmental law, commercial and tax law, company law, and public interest litigations. He also served as Additional Solicitor General for the Central Government, special counsel for state governments and statutory corporations, and has contributed as amicus curiae and legal aid under court assistance schemes.
Justice Sonak has been associated with various legal, educational, and social organisations and possesses extensive judicial and administrative experience. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on 21 June 2013. Known for both his judicial responsibilities and social concerns, he made history in Goa as the first person to register a ‘Living Will’ or Advance Medical Directive.
Justice Sonak succeeds Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, who retired on 8 January. Justice Chauhan was given a heartfelt farewell in a ceremony held at the High Court on Thursday.
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