“Justice Must Be Accessible, Timely and Meaningful”: Justice Soumen Sen Takes Charge as 40th Chief Justice of Kerala High Court
From the Editor's Desk
The Kerala High Court on Monday (12 January) accorded a formal welcome to Justice Soumen Sen, who has taken charge as the 40th Chief Justice of the High Court. The welcome took place during a full court reference attended by judges and members of the Bar.
Beginning his address with a greeting in Malayalam, Chief Justice Sen thanked the court community for the warmth extended to him. Recalling his professional journey across regions, he traced his movement from “the confluence of culture” in Calcutta to “the abode of clouds,” in Meghalaya and now to Kerala, “God's Own Country,” adding that he assumes the office with humility and a deep sense of responsibility.
Setting out his priorities, he said safeguarding judicial independence and ensuring effective access to justice would remain central to his tenure. “As a Chief Justice, my foremost duty will be to uphold the independence of the judiciary and ensure that Justice is accessible, timely and meaningful. We must continue to embrace technology, strengthen judicial infrastructure and promote transparency in all processes. Equally important is the need to nurture harmony between the bench and the bar for together we form the pillar upon which justice rests.” Justice Sen said.
He also underlined Kerala’s distinctive constitutional and legal tradition, calling the State a “jurisprudential laboratory” that has contributed significantly to Indian constitutional law. “While the house of justice are often seen as rigid and tradition bound. The Kerala High Court has proven itself to be a vibrant laboratory of judicial innovations. The bench and the bar of Kerala High Court enjoy an unrivaled reputation for deep legal knowledge, impeccable integrity, sound without flamboyance..” he stated.
Justice Sen referred to the legacy of jurists associated with Kerala, including Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, Justice K.K. Mathew, Justice Anna Chandy, Justice Fathima Beevi and Justice K.G. Balakrishnan. He noted the State’s pioneering role in advancing social justice, human dignity and gender equality, as well as its contributions to constitutional innovation, including the evolution of the basic structure doctrine.
Reiterating themes of technology, transparency and stronger infrastructure, he stressed the need for close and harmonious cooperation between the Bench and the Bar. Concluding his address, he reaffirmed his commitment to the highest ideals of justice, emphasizing that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done for every citizen, without fear or favour.
Justice Sen practised as an advocate in the Calcutta High Court for two decades on both the original and appellate sides and appeared before other courts and tribunals in a wide range of matters, including civil, constitutional, banking and arbitration disputes. He represented institutions and authorities such as the RBI, SEBI and SIDBI, and was designated as a Senior Advocate.
He was appointed a judge of the Calcutta High Court on 13 April 2011 and later served as its acting Chief Justice following the retirement of then Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam on 15 September 2025. Justice Sen was appointed Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court on 26 September 2025 and was sworn in as the 40th Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on 10 January.
Speaking on behalf of the judges of the High Court, Dr Justice Jayasankaran Nambiar described Chief Justice Sen as an accomplished jurist with expertise in constitutional, civil and commercial law. He said the new Chief Justice assumes office at a time when the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and maintaining public confidence is more vital than ever. He also highlighted the Kerala High Court’s tradition of judicial independence, technological innovation and social sensitivity, alongside a Bar known for intellectual rigour and ethical standards.
Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup, in his address, pointed to the cultural, literary and historical ties between Kerala and Bengal, saying the relationship often transcends geography and finds expression in shared passions for football, cinema, literature and cuisine. He recalled how Malayalam translations introduced generations of Malayalis to Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali, and how the works of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen shaped cinematic sensibilities in the State. Despite such links—and despite judges from Kerala having earlier served as Chief Justices of the Calcutta High Court—he observed that it took nearly seven decades for a former judge of the Calcutta High Court to assume office as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
Welcoming Justice Sen, the Advocate General traced his family background and professional record and noted that though his tenure in Meghalaya was brief, it was marked by strong judicial output. He added that members of the Meghalaya Bar remembered him for his simplicity, humility, courtesy and human touch.
Peeeyus A. Koottam, President of the Kerala High Court Advocates Association, welcomed Chief Justice Sen on behalf of the Bar, describing him as a distinguished jurist shaped by the traditions of the Calcutta High Court. He expressed confidence that the new Chief Justice’s leadership, legal acumen and empathetic approach would further strengthen the justice delivery system in Kerala. He also noted the symbolic significance of the presence of Justice Sen’s father at the ceremony, describing it as a moment of pride for both the family and the institution.
