Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan takes oath as 17th Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court

Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan was sworn in as the 17th Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court on July 23, 2025. The oath of office was administered by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The event was attended by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato, Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, and other senior officials.

Justice Chauhan was serving as the second senior-most judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court prior to this appointment. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended his name for elevation on May 26, 2025. The Central Government subsequently cleared the appointment as part of the latest round of transfers and elevations in various High Courts across the country.

Born on January 9, 1964, Justice Chauhan completed his school education in Shimla and pursued a law degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He enrolled as an advocate with the Himachal Pradesh Bar Council in 1989 and practised in various fields of law. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2014 and was confirmed as a permanent judge later the same year.

Justice Chauhan has participated in international judicial exchange programmes, including one held in Romania in 2019 focused on reforms related to child care and protection services. With his oath on Wednesday, he formally takes charge of the Jharkhand High Court as its new Chief Justice.