Justice Ashutosh Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, succeeding Justice Vijay Bishnoi. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath in the presence of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and other dignitaries. His appointment is part of recent key judicial reshuffles nationwide.
Justice Ashutosh Kumar was formally sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on Monday. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan in Guwahati and was administered by the Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, legal luminaries, senior government officials, and members of the judiciary. Chief Minister Sarma, who later posted on social media platform X, congratulated the newly-appointed Chief Justice and extended his best wishes. “Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Ashutosh Kumar, who has been sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court. My best wishes for his tenure,” Sarma wrote.
Justice Kumar’s elevation comes at a crucial time as the Gauhati High Court plays a pivotal role in adjudicating legal matters across four Northeastern states—Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh. Before this appointment, Justice Ashutosh Kumar was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. His career has been marked by a series of significant judgments and a deep commitment to upholding constitutional values and justice delivery.
Justice Kumar’s appointment fills the vacancy created after the elevation of Justice Vijay Bishnoi to the Supreme Court, who assumed office on May 30. Since then, Justice Lanusungkum Jamir had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court.
The elevation of Justice Ashutosh Kumar is part of a broader reshuffle in the higher judiciary, recently announced by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. In addition to his appointment, four other judges were named Chief Justices of various High Courts. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, who had been the Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, has now been confirmed as its permanent Chief Justice. Justice Vibhu Bakhru, formerly of the Delhi High Court, has been appointed Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.
In the same round of appointments, Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi was designated as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, taking over from Justice Ashutosh Kumar. Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan of the Himachal Pradesh High Court has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
These changes follow recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium in May 2025, aimed at addressing judicial vacancies and enhancing leadership across India’s judiciary. The Collegium had emphasized the need for timely appointments and stability in High Courts, particularly in states where delays in justice delivery have been a concern.
Apart from these elevations, the Law Ministry also announced the transfer of four sitting Chief Justices. Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava has been transferred from the Rajasthan High Court to the Madras High Court. Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh moves from Tripura to the Telangana High Court. Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao, currently serving in Jharkhand, has been appointed Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court. Justice K.R. Shriram, previously at the Madras High Court, will now serve as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
These transfers are intended to bring administrative efficiency and accommodate regional considerations in the functioning of the judiciary. The Gauhati High Court, established in 1948, has historically played a vital role in shaping the judicial landscape of Northeast India. With Justice Ashutosh Kumar at the helm, legal experts and observers expect renewed momentum in the resolution of pending cases and administrative reforms.
Justice Kumar brings with him a wealth of judicial experience and a reputation for integrity, diligence, and fairness. His leadership is anticipated to contribute significantly to ensuring faster justice delivery and strengthening public trust in the legal system.
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As the legal fraternity and citizens of the Northeast look forward to this new chapter in the Gauhati High Court’s history, the judiciary continues to evolve under dynamic leadership amidst complex legal and social challenges.
