The new Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Mohammed Rafiq, has set his priority to dispose of pending cases especially those which are pending for more than five years.
Justice Mohammed Rafiq was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Meghalaya governor Tathagata Roy at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma and his Cabinet colleagues and officers attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Also read: Justice Rafiq to take oath as Meghalaya HC CJ on Wednesday
“My top priority is to dispose of pending cases in the High Court and subordinate courts which are more than five years. I am told there are more than 2500 pending cases,” the new Chief Justice said while talking briefly to media persons.
He also said another priority is to strengthen and computerize the High Court and subordinate courts and give boost to the Lok Adalat and mediation.
The new Chief Justice succeeded Ajay Kumar Mittal, who has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
Born in Churu, Rajasthan, Rafiq started his law practice in 1984.
He practiced exclusively in the Rajasthan High Court in almost all branches of law.
He served as an advocate from 1999 to 2006.
Justice Rafiq has been recognized as an expert in the Indian Constitution, service, land acquisition, tax and company law cases.
In 2008, he was appointed as a justice in the Rajasthan High Court.
He also served as acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court for twice.
Senior High Court judge, Justice Hamarsan Sing Thangkhiew was the acting Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
