Cuttack, Nov 13 (UDN): Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray, the senior-most judge of the Orissa High Court, has been appointed as the Acting Chief Justice following the retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Harish Tandon.
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued the appointment notification on Friday. Justice Routray is scheduled to assume charge on November 16, a day after Chief Justice Tandon retires on November 15.
His appointment comes at a time when the High Court is facing a significant shortage of judges. Following Chief Justice Tandon’s retirement, the court will have 13 judges against its sanctioned strength of 33.
From Legal Practice To The Higher Judiciary
Born in Cuttack, Justice Routray completed his schooling at Ravenshaw Collegiate School and graduated from Utkal University. He obtained his LLB degree in 1994 and subsequently practised law at the Orissa High Court, besides appearing before other courts and tribunals.
After around a decade in legal practice, he was selected to the Higher Judicial Service directly from the Bar in 2008. He joined the judiciary as an Additional District and Sessions Judge in Sambalpur in December of that year.
During his judicial career, he served in several capacities in the district judiciary, including as District and Sessions Judge of Ganjam.
Elevated To High Court In 2019
Justice Routray was elevated to the Orissa High Court as a judge on November 8, 2019. As the senior-most judge of the court, he will now take over its administrative leadership as Acting Chief Justice following Justice Tandon’s retirement.
His appointment comes amid concerns over the High Court’s judicial strength, with the number of serving judges set to fall to 13 against 33 sanctioned positions.
