Justice Ashutosh Kumar Appointed Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Safiya Malik
The Central Government has notified the appointment of Justice Ashutosh Kumar as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The appointment follows the elevation of Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran to the Supreme Court of India. The notification, issued under Article 223 of the Constitution, specifies that Justice Kumar will assume the duties of Chief Justice upon the relinquishment of office by Justice Chandran.
The notification, dated January 13, 2025, was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. It states: “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Judge of the Patna High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran relinquishes charge of his office consequent upon his elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.”
Justice Kumar brings extensive legal experience to his new role. Born on October 1, 1966, he completed his schooling at St. Michael’s High School in Patna. He graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and obtained his LL.B. from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. Justice Kumar enrolled as an advocate on July 9, 1991, at the Patna High Court, where he specialized in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters.
His judicial career began on May 15, 2014, when he was appointed as an additional judge of the Patna High Court. Shortly after, he was transferred to the Delhi High Court on January 7, 2015, where he served until his repatriation to the Patna High Court on November 24, 2017. Justice Kumar was confirmed as a permanent judge of the Patna High Court on April 21, 2016.
Justice Kumar’s tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the legal field. His judgments have spanned a wide range of legal issues, reflecting his deep understanding of constitutional principles, civil rights, and criminal justice.
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