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Justice Gupta CJ of Kerala High Court
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 25
Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta has been appointed Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court by the President of India. A notification to this effect was issued by the Central Government today. He will be administered the oath of office “sometimes next week”.

Enrolled as a lawyer on February 28, 1963, Mr Justice Gupta was designated senior advocate on December 10, 1982. As a practising advocate, he was a part time member of the teaching faculty at the Law College, member of Panjab University’s law faculty, besides member Board of Studies in Law.

Mr Justice Gupta was elevated as Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge on March 15, 1991. During his tenure, Mr Justice Gupta has delivered several landmark judgements both on criminal, civil and taxation side, besides on constitutional issues. As many as 29 notifications issued by the Punjab government to acquire over 10,000 acres for setting up a new town of Anandgarh were annulled.

This is not all. In the first ever judgement of its kind in the country on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Prevention of Terrorism Act, Mr Justice Gupta’s Division Bench had significantly held that the “Act rightly aimed at reducing the procedural tangles”. Mr Justice Gupta had also delivered verdicts on petitions against the film industry, including one against Gadar. He also remained in the news for his judgement in the Mansa recruitment case.

Mr Justice Gupta was always appreciated by the Bar as a “bold Judge” always performing his duties “without fear or favour”. Known for his “quotable quotes”, he was also praised for his humane approach in handling sensitive issues.