Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court by West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi. Formerly Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Ghuge pledged to tackle case pendency, expand digital courtroom infrastructure, and improve access to justice for marginalized citizens.
KOLKATA — Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, succeeding acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office in Court Room 1, the chief justice's traditional bench at the principal seat in Kolkata. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by state dignitaries, sitting and retired judges, senior advocates, and legal representatives. The formal induction establishes full-time judicial leadership over India's oldest chartered high court, coming at a critical juncture as the domestic judicial system confronts case pendency and expands technology-enabled case management infrastructure.
Swearing-In Ceremony and Oath of Office
The oath-taking ceremony took place at Court Room 1 of the historic Gothic-style High Court building in Kolkata. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi administered the constitutional oath under Article 219 of the Constitution of India. Dignitaries present included Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, members of the state executive, judicial officers from subordinate courts, and leaders of the Calcutta High Court Bar Association.
Following the formal administration of the oath, Chief Justice Ghuge addressed the bench and bar, emphasizing institutional integrity, case clearance, and judicial accessibility for marginalized litigants.
"As we look to the future, we must try to ensure that the doors of justice remain wide open to the most marginalised in our society," the Chief Justice said, calling for modern digital tools to enhance court transparency and streamline proceedings. Describing the bench and the legal bar as "two wheels of the golden chariot of justice," he affirmed his commitment to collaborative governance across the judicial hierarchy.
Judicial Career and Institutional Background
Chief Justice Ghuge transitions to the eastern bench following a 13-year judicial tenure at the Bombay High Court, where he most recently served as Acting Chief Justice.
Born on July 9, 1966, Justice Ghuge is the son of Prof. Vithalrao B. Ghuge, former vice-chancellor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. After completing his legal education at Shahaji Law College in Kolhapur and M.P. Law College in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), he commenced his legal practice in 1990.
Advocacy Specialization: During his 23 years at the bar, he specialized extensively in industrial, constitutional, and labor jurisprudence, representing trade unions and individual workers in over 2,000 cases, as well as handling matters for more than 250 corporate and industrial enterprises.
Judicial Elevation: He was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013, later becoming a permanent judge.
Judicial Administration: On June 1, 2026, he was appointed Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court following the elevation of Justice Shree Chandrashekhar to the Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, recommended his transfer and appointment as Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court in August 2026, a notification that received formal clearance from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice earlier this week.
Impact on Litigants, Subordinate Courts, and Public Access
The arrival of a permanent Chief Justice carries operational consequences for the administration of justice across West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which fall under the appellate jurisdiction of the Calcutta High Court:
Tackling Case Backlogs: Subordinate courts and high court registries across the state handle heavy case dockets. The Chief Justice's stated commitment to pendency reduction targets faster listing procedures and the clearing of long-pending civil and criminal appeals.
Digital Infrastructure Upgrades: Building on his digital initiatives at the Bombay High Court, the administration is expected to expand hybrid virtual hearings, automated case filing (e-filing), and paperless bench operations across regional benches.
Judicial Vacancy Management: Full-time administrative leadership accelerates the process of recommending judicial elevations to fill existing bench vacancies, bolstering adjudication capacity.
Official Sources
The appointment and swearing-in were executed in accordance with statutory notifications from:
The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Constitutional notifications and press statements issued by the Raj Bhavan, West Bengal.
Administrative rosters and cause lists published by the Calcutta High Court.
Recommendation archives maintained by the Supreme Court of India.
Official Statements
"According to Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge, entrusted stewardship of the oldest high court in India requires deep dedication to safeguarding public faith in the institution, eliminating procedural friction, and maintaining open judicial doors for every citizen."
"According to judicial officials, the appointment of a substantive Chief Justice provides stable administrative governance necessary to address judicial vacancies and coordinate state-level infrastructure improvements across the subordinate judiciary."
Why It Matters
The Calcutta High Court, established under the High Courts Act of 1861, serves as an anchor of India's common-law jurisprudence. Installing permanent leadership at the helm of this institution ensures operational momentum in clearing substantial case backlogs, implementing nationwide digital judicial reforms, and maintaining public confidence in the judicial process.
Key Facts at a Glance
Appointee: Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge.
Designation: 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
Swearing-In Date & Venue: Wednesday, September 9, 2026; Court Room 1, Calcutta High Court, Kolkata.
Administering Authority: Governor of West Bengal R.N. Ravi.
Previous Office: Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who administered the oath of office to Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge?
West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office during a ceremony held in Court Room 1 of the Calcutta High Court.
Which post did Justice Ghuge hold prior to his appointment as Chief Justice?
Before taking charge in Kolkata, Justice Ghuge served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
What are the primary institutional priorities announced by the new Chief Justice?
Chief Justice Ghuge highlighted tackling the long-pending backlog of cases, utilizing modern courtroom technology for enhanced transparency, and ensuring that judicial remedy remains accessible to marginalized citizens.
Source: Official government notifications from the Ministry of Law and Justice, proceedings verified by the Raj Bhavan, West Bengal, and administrative filings published by the Calcutta High Court.
