Mumbai: Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Justice Dr Smt Manjula Chellur on Monday (22 Aug) took oath as the Chief Justice of the Bombay HIgh Court.

 Maharashtra Governor CH. Vidyasagar Rao adminmisterd the oath of office to Justice Chellur at a brief swearing in ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.

Wife of the Governor Smt CH Vinodha, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ministers Vinod Tawde, Chandrakant Patil, Ram Shinde, Jaikumar Rawal and Mahadev Jankar, Minister of State Deepak KEsarkar, Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay HIgh Court Smt Vijaya kapse Tahilramani, Judges of the Bombay High Court, senior government officers and invitees were present.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Justice Dr Smt Manjula Chellur was serving as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta HIgh Court. She also served as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.

Profile of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur

GoverBorn on 05.12.1955 at Bellary as daughter of Shri C. Bheemappa Chetty and Smt. Rangamma.

After completing B.A. Degree from Allum Sumangalamma Womens’ College, Bellary, joined Renukacharya Law College, Bangalore and obtained LL.B Degree in the year 1977.

Had an opportunity to visit the Crown Court at Hurham, U.K. during her stay in England for about one year.

Enrolled as an Advocate on 11.08.1978.

She was the first lady advocate to practice at Bellary. Served as legal advisor for several Banks, Agro Industries, KEB, KMF & APMC. Handled several important cases both on civil and criminal sides.

Joined Karnataka Judicial Service as District Judge on 15.04.1988.

Got fellowship on Gender and Law in 1997 at Warwick University in England.

Appointed as Additional Judge of the High Court of Karnataka (first Lady Judge) on 21.02.2000 and permanent Judge on 17.08.2000.

She was the President of the Karnataka Judicial Academy from 21.06.2008 to 25.03.2010.

She was also the Executive Chairperson of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority. As Executive Chairperson, she had worked for the welfare of transgenders and arranged seminars throughout the State.

On transfer to the Kerala High Court, assumed charge as Acting Chief Justice on 09.11.2011.

Became Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on 26.09.2012.

In recognition of the outstanding contributions in the field of law the Karnataka State Womens’ University, Bijapur honoured her with a degree of Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) at the fourth annual convocation held on 3rd March, 2013 at Bijapur.

Source : Sachin Murdeshwar