Chennai, 21 July (H.S.): Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava was sworn in as the 54th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court on Monday, July 21, 2025, in a formal ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Chennai. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office at 4 p.m. in the Bharathiar Mandapam. The event was attended by prominent figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker M. Appavu, and ministers like Duraimurugan, K.N. Nehru, and E.V. Velu, who greeted the new Chief Justice with bouquets and shawls. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin could not attend due to ill health, but the ceremony saw the presence of senior judges, top bureaucrats, and legal leaders.
Justice Shrivastava, born on March 6, 1964, in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, comes from a family of educators and lawyers. He began his legal career in 1987 after enrolling with the Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh and practiced in the district court of Raigarh, as well as the High Courts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. A gold medalist in law from K.R. Law College, Bilaspur, he was appointed a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court in 2009 and later transferred to the Rajasthan High Court in 2021. He served as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court from February 6, 2024, before his transfer to the Madras High Court, as notified by the Union government on July 14, 2025. He will serve until his retirement on March 6, 2026.
The appointment follows the transfer of the previous Chief Justice, K.R. Shriram, to the Rajasthan High Court. Legal circles in Tamil Nadu have warmly welcomed Justice Shrivastava’s appointment, expressing optimism about his leadership at one of India’s oldest and most prestigious courts. The Madras High Court plays a vital role in shaping the region’s legal landscape, and his experience is expected to strengthen its legacy. The swearing-in ceremony was a significant moment, marked by the presence of notable figures like former Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam and AIADMK leader C.Ve. Shanmugam, who congratulated him on behalf of the opposition.
Justice Shrivastava’s elevation comes at a crucial time for the Madras High Court, known for its rich judicial history. His reputation for balanced judgments and commitment to the rule of law, built over decades, is seen as a positive step for the court. The legal community looks forward to his contributions in upholding justice and fairness during his tenure.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
