Justice Vineet Kothari sworn in as Judge of Madras HC; Working strength rises to 61 judges

Justice Vineet Kothari sworn in as Judge of Madras HC; Working strength rises to 61 judges

The Madras High Court today welcomed Justice Vineet Kothari, who has taken charge as the second senior-most judge of the High Court after Chief Justice VK Tahilramani.

While introducing Justice Kothari on the occasion of his swearing-in ceremony this morning, Advocate General for Tamil Nadu Vijay Narayan remarked that the judge had a profile that few people could emulate. The AG was referring to Justice Kothari’s numerous academic feats, accomplished while also carrying forward his legal career as an advocate, and later as a judge.

Justice Kothari obtained his LL.B. degree in 1981, following his B/Com degree in 1978. He has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, as well as the Institute for Company Secretaries since 1982.

Although he was born to a family of Chartered Accountants, Justice Kothari opted to pursue a legal career following an interaction with a leading lawyer who observed that he could make a good lawyer.

He enrolled with the Bar Council of Rajasthan in 1984. His legal practice, however, did not come in the way of obtaining an Master’s degree in Law in 1999. In 2004, he also obtained a PhD in tax laws. He has also served as part-time faculty in the Department of Law at the University of Jodhpur between 1994 and 2000.

As a lawyer, his areas of practice included tax, commercial laws, Constitutional law, arbitration and company law. After about 20 years of legal practice in the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court of India, Justice Kothari was elevated as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court in 2005, following which he was transferred to the Karnataka High Court in 2016.

The AG also informed the gathering of the numerous articles authored by Justice Kothari that have been published in national and international journals of repute.

Given his vast expertise, particularly in tax law, Vice President of the Madras High Court Advocates Association, Sudha observed that the Madras High Court is going to immensely benefit from the appointment of Justice Kothari.

In a lighter vein, she remarked,

Since the honourable judge is an avid sportsperson, and a cricket player, we sincerely hope that the lawyers will get orders raining in sixes and fours. We  would not mind the occasional singles and doubles [either]…

We welcome you sir, with our whole heart and with great expectations.

VR Kamalnathan, Secretary of the Madras Bar Association and Krishnakumar, President of the Law Association also echoed the sentiment, promising the fullest cooperation of the Bar in assisting the Judge to perform his duties. While welcoming Justice Kothari’s appointment, Women’s Law Association President, V Nalini also reiterated a request that efforts be made to ensure that more women are represented on the High Court Bench.

Justice Kothari commenced his address with a Tamil greeting.

Yellarukkum vanakkam [salutations]”, he said. “Madras High Courtku vandhathu enakku romba santhosham [I am very happy to have come to the Madras High Court].”

He proceeded to remark that he was proud to have got the opportunity to serve at the Madras High Court, which he observed has a legacy of eminent judges and lawyers. He also expressed his thanks to the Supreme Court Collegium, to have accepted his request to be retained in South India. He said,

Coming to this prestigious high court is a matter of pride and privilege for me. Today, on my first entering into the portals of this temple of justice, my head naturally bowed in respect and instantaneously I touched the steps of this temple. I know, Tamil Nadu is a state of religion, and the beautiful temples of this richly endowed state would attract anyone who believes in God like me.

As he concluded his address, Justice Kothari expressed confidence of being able to perform his role well, with the assistance of the Bar and the Bench of the High Court.

I am sure with the able assistance and guidance of my erudite colleagues and the learned members of the bar I’ll be able to contribute my bit in the service of litigants, especially  the poor sections of society for providing justice…and for whom we exist…

Justice Kothari’s transfer from the Karnataka High Court was notified by the Central Government earlier this month. With his appointment, and the appointment of Justice B Pugalenthi earlier this week, the Madras High Court now has 61 judges, as against a sanctioned strength of 75 judges.

Talk on Twitter (https://twitter.com/barandbench)

Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news
www.barandbench.com