Bhubaneswar: The Central Government has appointed Justice Arindam Sinha, the senior-most puisne judge of the Orissa High Court, as its Acting Chief Justice, effective January 20, 2025. This follows the impending retirement of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on January 19, 2025.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Arindam Sinha, Judge of the Orissa High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from 20.01.2025 consequent upon retirement of Shri Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh, Chief Justice, Orissa High Court on 19.01.2025,” reads a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Justice (Appointments Division) on Friday.
Born on September 22, 1965, Justice Sinha brings a wealth of legal experience to his new role. He enrolled as an advocate on March 11, 1991, and built an extensive 22-year practice primarily at the Calcutta High Court. He specialized in civil, commercial, arbitration, and constitutional law, earning recognition for his expertise in civil matters.
Justice Sinha was elevated to the bench as an Additional Judge of the Calcutta High Court on October 30, 2013, and was confirmed as a permanent Judge on March 14, 2016. Subsequently, he was transferred to the Orissa High Court, where he assumed office on October 8, 2021.
Currently ranked 42nd in the combined seniority list of High Court Judges across India and 7th senior-most from the Calcutta High Court, Justice Sinha is slated to retire on September 21, 2027.
The retirement of Chief Justice Singh has reduced the Orissa High Court’s working strength to 18 judges against a sanctioned strength of 33. Notably, the court has not seen any new appointments since September 2023, further highlighting the pressing need to fill judicial vacancies.
Justice Sinha’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Orissa High Court, which continues to grapple with a significant shortfall in judicial manpower.
