Governor administers oath in Ranchi; legal, political luminaries attend ceremony
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA:
Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan took charge as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), the oath-taking ceremony being held at Raj Bhavan in Ranchi where Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the Himachal Pradesh-origin legal luminary.
The event witnessed the presence of Justice Chauhan’s family members, senior judges, legal experts and several prominent political personalities. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was also present and congratulated the newly appointed Chief Justice after the ceremony. Governor Gangwar welcomed Justice Chauhan with a floral bouquet, marking the beginning of his tenure in the state.
Distinguished judicial service in Himachal Pradesh
Born on January 9, 1964, in Rohru tehsil of Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan has had a distinguished judicial career. During his tenure at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, he resolved approximately 75,000 cases, setting a benchmark for efficiency and commitment. Former Justice Rajeev Sharma, who was transferred to the Uttarakhand High Court, had closed 60,000 cases during his time in Himachal.
Justice Chauhan was bid farewell in a ceremonial event at the Himachal High Court on July 18, where Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia lauded him as a paragon of discipline and compassion. Recalling his humility, pragmatism and analytical acumen, Justice Sandhawalia said Justice Chauhan’s contributions would be remembered for years to come.
Legal career rooted in Himachal, shaped by service
Justice Chauhan completed his early education at the prestigious Bishop Cotton School in Shimla, graduated from DAV College, Chandigarh, and went on to earn his law degree from Panjab University. He enrolled as an advocate with the Himachal Pradesh Bar Council in 1989 and began his legal career under the mentorship of renowned lawyer Lala Chhabil Das.
Appointed as a judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on February 23, 2014, Justice Chauhan held a reputation for his sensitivity to social issues. From May 2014 to August 2023, he actively championed the welfare of children in state-run homes, mental health institutions and old age homes across Himachal Pradesh.
His commitment extended beyond the courtroom. He participated in various national and international judicial forums, including conferences on “Judiciary and the changing world”, and served as Executive Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority. He was twice appointed Acting Chief Justice of the Himachal High Court before his elevation to Jharkhand.
