Justice M Sundar Sworn in as Chief Justice of Manipur High Court

Justice M Sundar was formally sworn in as the 10th Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court on September 15, 2025, marking another significant appointment in India’s higher judiciary. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Darbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, in Imphal, where Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath at around 10 a.m.

This appointment follows the retirement of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, who held the post for a brief tenure beginning May 22, 2025, and retired just a day before Justice Sundar’s swearing-in.

A Legal Career Rooted in Madras High Court

Born on July 19, 1966, in Chennai, Justice Sundar has had a long and distinguished legal career. He graduated from Madras Law College, where he was part of the first batch of the five-year integrated law course—a key academic reform at the time. He enrolled as an advocate in 1989, and over the next two decades, built a strong legal practice primarily before the Madras High Court.

His judicial career began in October 2016, when he was elevated as a permanent judge of the Madras High Court. Before his transfer to Manipur, he was the second senior-most judge at the Madras High Court—an indication of his extensive experience and seniority.

Supreme Court Collegium Recommendation

Justice Sundar’s elevation to the top judicial post in Manipur followed a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium. This body, comprising the Chief Justice of India and senior judges, plays a central role in the appointment of high court judges in India. His selection aligns with a broader trend of experienced judges from southern high courts being appointed to head northeastern state judiciaries, fostering regional balance and judicial diversity.

Madras-Manipur Judicial Link

Justice M Sundar is now part of a notable list of judges from the Madras High Court who have gone on to lead the Manipur High Court. Others include,

• Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar
• Justice M.V. Muralidharan
• Justice D. Krishna Kumar

This highlights a continuing judicial linkage between Chennai and Imphal, which has contributed to strengthening the legal infrastructure in northeastern states.

Significance of the Appointment

Justice Sundar’s appointment is important for several reasons,

• Continuity and stability in the Manipur High Court, especially amid ongoing law-and-order concerns and governance issues in the region.
• A veteran legal mind with deep knowledge in constitutional, civil, and writ matters now at the helm.
• Further reinforcement of the trend where southern India’s legal talent is tapped to bolster leadership in other high courts.

Key Points to Remember

• Date of swearing-in: September 15, 2025
• Successor to: Justice Kempaiah Somashekar (retired September 14, 2025)
• Recommending body: Supreme Court Collegium
• Background: Madras High Court; appointed judge in October 2016
• Birth: July 19, 1966; Chennai
• Education: Madras Law College, first integrated law course batch