The Ministry of Law and Justice, representing the Central Government, officially announced the appointment of Acting Chief Justices for the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Madras High Court.
According to the notification issued for Madras High Court, “In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice R. Mahadevan, Judge of the Madras High Court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from May 24, 2024, consequent upon the retirement of Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala, Chief Justice, Madras High Court on May 23, 2024.”
The Madhya Pradesh HC announced that, under the authority granted by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President has appointed Justice Sheel Nagu, a Judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, to act as the Chief Justice of that High Court starting from May 25, 2024. This appointment follows the retirement of Justice Ravi Vijay Kumar Malimath, who served as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court until May 24, 2024.
Justice R Mahadevan, born on June 10, 1963, in Chennai, completed his law degree at Madras Law College in 1989. With 25 years of experience, he specialized in indirect taxes, customs, and Central Excise matters, practicing in civil, criminal, and writ sides. He served in various capacities, including as Additional Government Pleader (Taxes) for Tamil Nadu, Additional Central Government Standing Counsel, and Senior Panel Counsel for the Government of India at Madras High Court, handling over 9000 cases. He was appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court in 2013.
Justice Sheel Nagu, appointed as a Madhya Pradesh High Court Judge in May 2011, has served there since. With a background in Constitutional, service, labor, and criminal law, he has contributed significantly with over 499 reported judgments during his 12-year tenure. On December 27, 2023, the Supreme Court collegium recently recommended him as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, citing his fitness and suitability for the role.