New Delhi: Justice R.M. Lodha was Sunday sworn in as the chief justice of India. He was administered the oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee.
He is the 41st chief justice of India.
Chief Justice Lodha succeeds Chief Justice P. Sathasivam who demitted office on completion of his term Saturday. Lodha will preside over the Supreme Court for five months as his term will come to an end Sep 27, 2014.
Chief Justice Lodha has heard a large number of important cases, including the one pertaining to irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks in which he famously described the CBI as a “caged parrot speaking in its master’s voice”.
He recently presided over the five-judge Constitution Bench that heard several matters requiring the interpretation of the Constitution.
Chief Justice Lodha believes that the Supreme Court represents “no class, no caste, no majority, no minority. It follows and interprets the law and the constitution… hold the balance (of justice) firmly and ensure that its scales do not tilt”.
A law graduate from the Jodhpur University, Lodha practised law in the Rajasthan High Court dealing with constitutional, civil, company, criminal, taxation, labour and other matters. He also appeared as counsel for the Centre and the Rajasthan government.
Chief Justice Lodha was elevated as a permanent judge of the Rajasthan High Court Jan 31, 1994. He was transferred to the Bombay High Court Feb 16, 1994 and remained there for the next 13 years. Lodha came back to the Rajasthan High Court Feb 2, 2007.
Lodha then moved from the Rajasthan High Court to the Patna High Court as its Chief Justice May 13, 2008.
Eight months later, Chief Justice Lodha was elevated to the Supreme Court Dec 17, 2008.
He is also associated with the Jodhpur-based National Law University as its executive member.