By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCirles.net,
Imphal: Justice Lakshmi Kanta Mahapatra was formally sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Manipur High Court at a swering-in ceremony held at Raj Bhawan on July 10, 2014. Justice Mahapatra has been the Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court since October 21, 2013.
The oath of office and secrecy to Justice Mohapatra was administered by Governor V.K. Duggal. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Education Minister M. Okendro, Works Minister Dr. Kh Ratankumar, Social Welfare Minister A.K. Mirabai, Public Health & Engineering Minister I. Hemochandra, Chief Secretary P.C. Lawmkunga, DGP Saheed Ahmed, among others.
A special message from the President of India to the newly sworn-in Chief Justice of Manipur High Court was read out.
Now with the swearing-in of the Chief Justice, the High Court of Manipur has two judges. The other being Justice N. Kotishwor Singh. As per the new all-India arrangement, the Manipur High Court should have 5 full-fledged judges. There has been demand by legal bodies in the State to have at least 5 full-fledged judges in the Manipur High Court for speedy delivery of justice in the State.
Speaking to mediapersons after the swering-in ceremony, Justice Mahapatra said he had instructed all the officers concerned to expedite disposal of all pending cases in the Manipur High Court and ensure speedy justice to the people. At present the High Court has shortage of manpower, however the shortage can not be solved overnight. We will try to strengthen it gradually. We will work hard to deliver speedy justice with utmost sincerity. We are planning to appoint one more judge for the court, he added.
Justice Mahaptra was born on June 10, 1954. He graduated in Law from M.S. Law College, Cuttack in 1977. He then enrolled as an advocate in 1978. He practised Civil, Criminal, Service and Labour Laws.
Justice Mahapatra was appointed as Judge of High Court of Orissa in 1999. Later transferred to Allahabad High Court. He served as Acting Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court from 2012 to October 2013. He then became the Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court on October 21, 2013.
Manipur has a new Manipur High Court Complex at Mantripukhri, which was inaugurated on March 25, 2013 by Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir in the presence of Cheif Minister O. Ibobi Singh, Union Minister of Law & Justice Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Judges of Supreme Court of India Justice Alam and Justice Anil R. Dave, among others.