Justice Ravindra Ghuge Appointed Calcutta HC Chief Justice

Justice Ravindra Ghuge, the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. He bid farewell to the Bombay High Court on Monday, where he served as a judge for over 13 years.

Justice Ghuge was speaking at a full court farewell held for him after the Centre notified his appointment on September 5. He will now head the Calcutta High Court, leaving behind a significant legacy in Maharashtra.

One of the key cases that will be affected by his departure is the challenge to the State's law granting 10 per cent reservation to the Maratha community in education and public employment. Justice Ghuge was heading the special three-judge bench hearing the challenge, but with his elevation, a fresh three-judge bench will have to be constituted.

The petitioners have completed their arguments, while the Maharashtra government is currently making its submissions. The change in the composition of the bench may lead to the matter being heard afresh, potentially delaying a final decision on the validity of the reservation law.

Justice Ghuge's appointment as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court was notified by the Centre nearly a month after the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his elevation on August 6. He will be succeeded by Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi of the Allahabad High Court, who is expected to take oath on September 9.

At his farewell, Justice Ghuge recalled his early years and his decision to become a lawyer. He began practising in 1990 and was elevated to the Bench in 2013. During his judicial tenure, he dealt with matters involving land, public health, civic administration, and public interest.

Justice Ghuge's bench took suo motu cognisance of a strike by doctors in Maharashtra, following which the agitation was called off. In cases concerning malnutrition and water scarcity in Melghat, the court issued directions for supplying water to affected villages.

As Acting Chief Justice, Justice Ghuge also headed benches that pulled up the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration over licence suspensions. His elevation to the Calcutta High Court marks a new chapter in his judicial career, but his departure will be felt in Maharashtra, particularly in the context of the Maratha quota case.

The Maratha quota case has been a significant legal battle in Maharashtra, with the community demanding reservation in education and public employment. The case has been ongoing for several years, with various twists and turns. The appointment of a fresh three-judge bench will likely lead to further delays, leaving the community waiting for a final decision.

In the meantime, Justice Ghuge will take over as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, bringing his expertise and experience to the eastern state. His departure from the Bombay High Court marks the end of an era, but his legacy will continue to shape the judicial landscape of Maharashtra.

The impact of Justice Ghuge's elevation on the Maratha quota case will be closely watched in the coming days. The case has significant implications for the community and the state, and a final decision is eagerly awaited. With the appointment of a fresh three-judge bench, the case will likely take a new turn, leading to further developments in the days to come.

In conclusion, Justice Ravindra Ghuge's appointment as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court marks a significant development in the Indian judiciary. His departure from the Bombay High Court will be felt, particularly in the context of the Maratha quota case. However, his elevation also brings new opportunities and challenges, and his legacy will continue to shape the judicial landscape of Maharashtra.