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Supreme Court Collegium recommends Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as Chief Justice of Madras High Court.
Kerala Story-2 Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari to charge as next Chief Justice of Madras HC
New Delhi: Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari of the Kerala High Court, who heard the ‘Kerala Story 2’ case on Thursday, has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. His appointment will come into effect on March 6, a day after the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Justice Manindra Mohan Srivastava, on March 5.
Justice Dharmadhikari, who is presently serving as a judge of the Kerala High Court, is expected to assume charge as the Chief Justice of the Madras High Court from March 6, 2026, following the approval of the recommendation.
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The recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium is part of the judiciary’s Advance Transfer Policy, under which judges appointed as Chief Justices are transferred in advance from their current courts. The policy ensures that the incoming Chief Justice gets adequate time to understand the administrative and judicial functioning of the new High Court.
This system allows the judge to familiarise themselves with the court’s procedures, case management systems, and administrative responsibilities before officially assuming leadership.
Justice Dharmadhikari recently drew attention for presiding over a rare late-night hearing at the Kerala High Court. On the night of February 26, he sat on a division bench to hear an urgent appeal concerning the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2.
The hearing began at around 7:30 pm and continued until nearly 10:00 pm an uncommon occurrence in the court. The extended session highlighted the urgency and importance attached to the matter.
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Before his judicial career gained prominence, Justice Dharmadhikari held several key administrative responsibilities. Notably, he served as the Welfare Commissioner overseeing rehabilitation and welfare measures related to the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the most devastating industrial disasters in history.
Justice Dharmadhikari hails from Madhya Pradesh and was born on July 8, 1966, in Raipur. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and later pursued a law degree from Nagpur University before entering the legal profession.
With his elevation now recommended, Justice Dharmadhikari is expected to bring extensive judicial experience and administrative expertise to the Madras High Court as it prepares for a new phase of leadership.
