Justice B Somadder sworn in as Meghalaya chief justice

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 27, 2020

Justice Biswanath Somadder on Monday sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. 

Governor Tathagata Roy administered the oath of office to the new chief justice at the swearing in ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan here. 

Strict social distancing norms was also observed during the ceremony in view of the present COVID-19 crisis. 

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court Collegium had last week recommended elevation of Justice Biswanath Somadder, Judge of Allahabad High Court as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.

It has also recommended the transfer of Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court to Orissa High Court. 

Prior to his appointment as Chief Justice, Justice Somadder served as a Judge at the High Court of Calcutta where he was elevated as Judge on June 22, 2006. He was appointed as the Executive chairman of the State Legal Services Authorty, West Bengal, by the Governor of West Bengal vide notification dated November 5, 2018

He was also appointed as Judge-in-Charge Administrative Department, High Court at Calcutta, in order to discharge the functions assigned under the Appellate Side Rules of the Hgh Court at Calcutta with effect from November 19, 2018.

Justice Somadder had functioned as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Calcutta between January 1, 2019 and April 3, 2019

He, thereafter, assumed charge as Judge of Allahabad High Court on and from October 17, 2019

Justice Somadder wwas born on December 15, 1963 at Calcutta where he completed his BA and LL.B examination from the University of Calcutta. He had also done a Certificate Course on “Office Automation Tools” under the Computer Education Programme of Regional Computer Centre Calcutta

He later on joined the Bar and practised as an Advocate since July 22, 1989 at the High Court at Calcutta as well as the Supreme Court of India. He had also appeared before CESTAT, Eastern Regional Bench. 

His areas of practice include Customs & Central Excise FERA, Telecommunication, Education, Service & Income Arbitration, Company, Revenue, Civil and Criminal matters. Specialised in Revenue, Arbitration and Constitutional Laws. 

He was senior counsel for the Central Government in the High Court at Calcutta and was also the Honorary Joint Secretary of the Bar Library Club of Calcutta High Court and until his elevation.