Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Nov 14: Decks have been cleared for appointment of Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir as Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and the warrants of his appointment are likely to be issued by President, Pranab Mukherjee next week.
Reliable sources confirmed to EXCELSIOR that the file pertaining to appointment of Justice Mir had already been cleared by the Union Law Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and was now lying in the office of President.
As per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Law and Justice, the process for appointment of Acting Chief Justice of High Court is initiated by the Chief Justice of India in consultation with the two senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court. The views of the Judges of the Supreme Court thus consulted are subsequently sent by the Chief Justice along with his proposal to the Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs.
After receipt of the recommendations of the Chief Justice of India, the Union Law Minister obtains the view of the concerned State Government. “In case of Justice Mir, the process for his appointment was initiated in the month of August and the State Government has already given its consent for his appointment for the post”, sources remarked.
“Further, after the receipt of the views of Jammu and Kashmir Government, the Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs submitted the proposal to Prime Minister’s Office. Few days back, the PMO also gave its clearance and now the file is with the office of President, Pranab Mukherjee”, sources emphasized adding, “as soon as the appointment is approved by the President, the Department of Justice will announce the appointment and issue necessary notification”.
In a related development, Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh has been transferred today to the High Court of Madhya Pradesh as its Chief Justice.
According to an order issued by Ministry of Law and Justice, “In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, has directed Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar to assume charge of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on or before November 27, 2013”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Justice Mir had been sworn in as additional Judge of High Court on January 31, 2005 and subsequently appointed as permanent Judge of High Court on July 7, 2007.
Earlier, he had also served as Principal District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar (2004), Additional District & Sessions Judge, Special Judge POTO for Kashmir Division (2002-04),
Resident of village Rajpora in Pulwama district, Justice Mir had cleared the Higher Judicial Services examination in the year 1992 and secured first position in the State. He had also served as Principal District and Sessions Judge Kupwara; Principal District and Sessions Judge, Anantnag (1995-98) and Presiding Officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Srinagar (1998-2000). He was placed in the selection grade in the year 1998 and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge, Budgam (2000-2002).
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