M A I N   N E W S

Bedi takes over as Bombay High Court CJ
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, October 3
Mr Justice H.S. Bedi, who was till recently Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, today took over as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, the biggest High Court in the country.

He was administered the oath by the Maharashtra Governor, Mr S.M. Krishna, this evening at Raj Bhavan here. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil, ministers, puisine Judges of the Bombay High Court and lawyers were present.

His appointment as Chief Justice was cleared by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam some days ago on the recommendation of the collegium of the Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Bedi was the Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court ever since the previous incumbent, Mr Justice D.K. Jain, was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court.

As Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chief Justice Bedi is credited with having initiated a series of pro-litigant reforms so as to provide relief to the litigants as also tackle the problem of huge pendency of cases.

It was during his tenure that probably for the first time since the Punjab and Haryana High Court was established that the number of pending cases came down drastically. He is also credited with having a highly successful stint as Executive Chairperson of the Punjab Legal Services Authority.

He was instrumental is setting up of Permanent Lok Adalats in many district court complexes across Punjab, speedy disposal of old cases of minor nature through special lok adalats, a step that also earned him appreciation from the Supreme Court.

Author of a series of landmark judgments, including the one which ordered the release of all Pakistani prisoners lodged in various jails of Punjab despite completion of their prison term, Chief Justice Bedi was known for swift disposal of cases. As Acting Chief Justice, Chief Justice Bedi initiated the practice of having special benches in the High Court on Wednesday to deal with long-pending cases of civil and criminal nature.

Such was his popularity in the Punjab and Haryana High Court that 17 sitting Judges of this High Court and 40-odd lawyers, including Senior Advocates, apart from retired Judges, were present in Mumbai to attend the oath taking ceremony.

Nijjar to continue as Acting Chief Justice

With Acting Chief Justice Mr Justice H.S. Bedi taking over as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court today, Mr Justice S.S. Nijjar, the senior-most puisine Judge, will continue as Acting Chief Justice for some more time.

The orders of the appointment of the present Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Mr Justice Vijender Jain, as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, are still awaited and till his arrival, Mr Justice Nijjar will continue as Acting Chief Justice.