Justice Soumen Sen was formally sworn-in as the 40th Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on Saturday, during a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Sen, in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly AN Shamseer, Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram VV Rajesh, and other senior dignitaries from the executive and judicial branches. The proceedings were made accessible to the public through a live-stream on official digital platforms, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.
Justice Sen assumes charge following the superannuation of Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar. The transition underscores the structured continuity of judicial leadership in the High Court, in line with constitutional provisions under Articles 217 and 223, which govern appointments and transfers of judges within High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Justice Soumen Sen earlier served as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. His transfer to the Kerala High Court was effected through a notification issued by the Central government in accordance with the procedure established under the Constitution of India, taking into account seniority, merit, and administrative considerations as contemplated in the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence on judicial transfers, including SP Gupta vs Union of India and subsequent clarifications on the collegium system.
As Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice Sen will preside over constitutional benches and administrative functions of the court. He will also be responsible for guiding judicial policy, allocation of cases, and supervision of subordinate courts within the state. The office entails oversight of both judicial and non-judicial administrative mechanisms, including infrastructure development, case management systems, and digitisation initiatives under the e-Courts Project, thereby reinforcing efficiency, access to justice, and adherence to the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.
This appointment also highlights the broader practice of inter-High Court transfers aimed at preserving institutional impartiality and promoting the uniform application of constitutional norms across states, in line with Article 222 of the Constitution and the collegium’s recommendations. Justice Sen’s assumption of office marks a significant juncture for the Kerala High Court, ensuring uninterrupted judicial functioning and continued adherence to the rule of law.
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