The Central Government on Friday notified the appointment of Justice Sudhir Singh as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court following the retirement of Chief Justice Meenakshi M Rai.
In a notification dated July 10, 2026, the President of India, exercising powers under Article 223 of the Constitution, appointed Justice Singh to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice with effect from July 12, 2026, consequent upon the retirement of Chief Justice Rai on July 11, 2026. Justice Rai had assumed office as the 48th Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on June 2, 2026.
Justice Sudhir Singh completed his schooling at Vikas Vidyalaya, Ranchi, before obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Patna College, Patna University. He went on to earn his LL.B. from Patna Law College, Patna University.
He comes from a distinguished legal family. His great-grandfather, Late Nand Kishore Prasad Singh, practised at the District Court in Chhapra, while his grandfather, Late Baldeo Prasad Singh, was a senior advocate at the Patna High Court and served as President of the Barrister’s Association for several years. His father, Justice NP Singh, was a judge of the Supreme Court and later chaired the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
Justice Singh enrolled as an advocate in 1991 and built an extensive practice before the Patna High Court. During his career at the Bar, he served as Central Government Counsel for the Union of India, Railway Advocate for the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Additional Standing Counsel for the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, and Assistant Solicitor General of India. His practice was primarily in criminal and writ matters.
He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Patna High Court on April 15, 2015, and was appointed a Permanent Judge on April 20, 2016. With his appointment as Acting Chief Justice, Justice Singh will now head the Patna High Court until a regular Chief Justice is appointed.
The post Centre appoints Justice Sudhir Singh as Acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court appeared first on India Legal.