Ranchi, Sep 23: The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday welcomed three new judges, taking its total strength to 16.
Justice Manoj Prasad, Justice Akhil Kumar and Justice Ram Sharma were administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice M S Sonak during a ceremony held at the High Court premises here.
The programme began with the reading of the warrants of appointment issued by the Central government. Justice Manoj Prasad was the first to take the oath, followed by Justice Akhil Kumar and Justice Ram Sharma.
Before their elevation to the High Court, the three judges were serving as Principal District and Sessions Judges at different places in Jharkhand.
Justice Manoj Prasad was posted in Garhwa, while Justice Akhil Kumar was serving in Sahibganj. Justice Ram Sharma was the Principal District and Sessions Judge in Daltonganj in Palamu district.
Following their swearing-in, the newly appointed judges joined judicial proceedings. Justice Manoj Prasad heard listed matters on a bench headed by Chief Justice M S Sonak. Justice Akhil Kumar sat on a bench with Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, while Justice Ram Sharma heard cases alongside Justice Rongan Mukhopadhyay.
Judges of the High Court, advocates, judicial officers and family members and relatives of the newly appointed judges attended the swearing-in ceremony.
The appointments add three experienced judicial officers to the Jharkhand High Court and increase its present judicial strength to 16.
