Kolkata: Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge on Wednesday took oath as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court outlining three key priorities — improving access to justice, embracing technology and tackling case pendency.Ghuge was elevated as acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court on June 2 after then Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar was elevated to the Supreme Court. He was appointed a judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013, after practising as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court and industrial and labour courts since 1990.The swearing-in ceremony, held in courtroom No. 1, was attended by chief minister and law minister Suvedu Adhikari and Bengal legislative assembly speaker Rathindra Bose. The CM congratulated Ghuge in a post on X: “I extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to Hon’ble Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge, may his tenure further fortify the Rule of Law, safeguard Constitutional values, and ensure prompt and fair justice for every Citizen of our State.”After governor RN Ravi administered the oath, Ghuge said in his ceremonial address: “As we look to the future we must strive to ensure that the doors of justice remain wide open to the most marginalised in our society. We must embrace modern technology to make our courts more accessible and transparent. Together we must ensure that the pendency of cases is tackled with earnest zeal and the faith of the deepest stakeholder, the common citizen, remains unshaken in this great institution.”Speaking about his journey as a first-generation lawyer, Ghuge said, “I stand before you as a first generation lawyer. I have no legal lineage to fall back upon. The path to this historic courtroom was paved with immense struggle, silent doubts and sheer perseverance and the blessings of my parents.”Urging young lawyers to uphold ethics, he said, “keep their heads down” and “never compromise on ethics”.Addressing the Bar association president, Ghuge said, “I will always remain a lawyer…My doors are open to you, I am accessible to all. Come with problems and also try to bring some solutions with you…”Former chief minister Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Ghuge, saying, “Congratulations to Hon’ble Justice RV Ghuge on taking oath as the new Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. I convey my very best wishes to him as he takes on this new appointment and warmly welcome him to our great state of Bengal.”
