New Delhi, March 10
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has appointed one of the seniormost judges of Delhi High Court, Justice Devinder Kumar Jain, as Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.
An official notification in this regard was issued by the Law Ministry here today.
“His appointment comes into effect from the date he assumes the charge of his office,” it said. Sources close to him said he was likely to take oath of office tomorrow.
Known for his humble nature, Justice Jain is considered to be a firm judge when it comes to judicial pronouncements.
As a Delhi High Court judge, he handled various important cases but shot into fame while handling the JMM bribery case as part of a division Bench comprising him and Justice Y.K. Sabharwal, now a Supreme Court Judge.
The FIR in the case, in which former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao and Bihar Governor Buta Singh were convicted by the trial court but later acquitted by the High Court due to lack of evidence, was only registered by the CBI on the order of his Bench, which heard a PIL in the bribery case.
It was another matter that most of the MPs who allegedly had taken bribe for voting in favour of Rao government to save his Ministry during a no-confidence motion in July, 1993, could escape conviction because of immunity granted to legislators under Article 201 of the Constitution against prosecution for any vote given inside the House or any legislative committee.
Born on January 25, 1948, Justice Jain started his career as a lawyer in 1974 when he was enrolled as a member of Bar in Delhi and soon excelled as a successful advocate, especially in the field of civil law cases and taxation matters.
He was appointed Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court on March 19, 1991 and a permanent Judge after 10 months.
Before being appointed a judge, Justice Jain had practised in various courts and tribunals and remained standing counsel for the Income Tax Department for nearly five years.
Meanwhile, the President has also cleared the appointment of Kerala High Court Judge, Mr Cyriac Joseph, as Chief Justice of Uttaranchal High Court.
His appointment will also be effective from the date he assumes the charge of his office.
