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Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre Appointed of
In a significant , Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre has been appointed as the of the , following the of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya to the . The President of India made the appointment under Article 223 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint a judge of a High Court to perform the duties of the Chief Justice when the office is vacant or the Chief Justice is unable to act.
Justice Sambre, currently a judge of the , will assume the role effective from the date Justice Upadhyaya as Chief Justice. The swearing-in ceremony of Justice Upadhyaya as a Supreme Court judge is scheduled for tomorrow. This move places a seasoned jurist with extensive experience in constitutional, civil, and at the helm of one of the country's busiest high courts.
A Judicial Career Rooted in Nagpur
Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre was born on , in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He completed his schooling at Somalwar High School, Nagpur, and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Shivaji Science College. He obtained his LL.B. from the University College of Law, Nagpur, in 1992.
He enrolled as an advocate on , and began his legal career under the mentorship of then , who later served as the . This early association with one of the country's most respected legal minds shaped Justice Sambre's approach to law and justice.
Justice Sambre practiced civil, writ, and before all three benches of the —Mumbai, Aurangabad, and Nagpur. He served as Secretary of the , from 2004 to 2007, and was appointed and from . During his career as an advocate, he acted as for major corporate entities and statutory bodies, including , , and , and also represented and , as well as various municipal councils.
to the Bench and Administrative Roles
Justice Sambre was elevated as an of the on , and became a on . During his tenure in the , he handled a wide range of judicial work covering civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative matters. He also held several important administrative responsibilities, including Chairman of the , member of the , Chairman of the , and member of the .
In , Justice Sambre was transferred to the , where he assumed charge on . Since then, he has been part of several benches hearing matters before the , quickly establishing himself as a senior and respected judge in the court.
The Appointment Under Article 223
The issued a notification confirming the appointment, stating:
"In exercise of the power conferred by , the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Judge of the , to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya relinquishes the charge of the office of Chief Justice consequent upon his as a Judge of the ."
Article 223 is a crucial constitutional provision that ensures at the high court level. It allows the President to appoint an without the need for consultation with the , though in practice such appointments are made on the recommendation of the or based on . Justice Sambre, being the senior-most judge of the after Justice Upadhyaya, was the natural choice for this interim leadership role.
Significance for the
The appointment comes at a time of notable transition for the . With the of Chief Justice Upadhyaya to the Supreme Court, the court requires stable administrative leadership to manage its heavy caseload. The handles a vast number of constitutional, commercial, and criminal cases, and the will oversee both judicial and administrative functions until a is appointed.
Justice Sambre's extensive experience in the , including his administrative roles, makes him well-suited to handle the responsibilities of . His background in corporate law, , and criminal practice provides him with a broad perspective on the diverse cases that come before the .
Legal circles in Nagpur, where Justice Sambre began his career, have welcomed the appointment. His rise from a local advocate to the of one of India's most significant high courts is seen as a testament to his dedication and legal acumen.
Looking Ahead
As Justice Sambre takes over the role, the legal community will be watching how he manages the court's administrative challenges and whether any policy changes or improvements are introduced during his tenure. The appointment also highlights the trend of judges from the bringing their expertise to the , enriching the judicial culture of the national capital.
Justice Sambre's appointment under Article 223 is a routine but essential , ensuring that the continues to function without disruption. His leadership during this will be crucial as the court transitions to a new in due course.
The appointment reinforces the importance of experienced judges who have risen through the ranks, demonstrating that a strong foundation in both legal practice and judicial principles is valued at the highest levels of the judiciary.
