Why in news:

• Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan has been appointed as the acting chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

Key Points:

• The incumbent acting chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court demits office on April 19.
• Born in 1964 in Rohru tehsil of Shimla, Justice Chauhan did his schooling from Bishop Cotton School. He graduated with honours from DAV College, Chandigarh, and thereafter obtained degree in law from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
• He enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh in 1989 and joined the chamber of Lala Chhabil Dass and practised in all branches of law.
• He served as standing counsel-cum-legal adviser to the HP State Electricity Board Ltd. Earlier, he was the standing counsel-cum-legal adviser to HP State Civil Supplies Corporation. Justice Chauhan had been actively associated with legal aid programmes and remained a member of lok adalats.
• He was appointed amicus-curiae by the high court in important cases relating to the violation of environmental laws by hydel projects and ropeways, besides the ban on plastic and tobacco products, implementation of solid waste management projects and framing of the state’s road construction policy.
• It is noteworthy that Justice Sabina was appointed the acting chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in January. In February, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended that she be appointed the chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
• Apparently, her appointment has not come through as Justice Chauhan has been made acting chief justice of the high court.
• The official notification in this regard states that in exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan, senior-most puisne Judge of Himachal Pradesh high court, to perform the duties of the office of the chief justice of that high court with effect from April 20 consequent upon the retirement of Justice Sabina, acting chief justice, Himachal Pradesh High court.
• Born in April 20, 1961, Justice Sabina demits office on Wednesday evening on attaining the age of 62.