Justice P. Sam Koshy Appointed as Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court

The Central Government has officially notified the appointment of Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy as the Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court. This move comes in the wake of the transfer of the former Acting Chief Justice, Justice Sujoy Paul, who has been assigned to the Calcutta High Court. Justice Koshy will serve in this acting capacity until Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, who has been appointed as the permanent Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, formally assumes office.

Justice P. Sam Koshy is a seasoned member of the Indian judiciary with decades of experience at both the bar and the bench. He began his legal career in 1991 after enrolling as an advocate. He practiced law primarily at the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur, focusing on civil, constitutional, service, and labor matters. His practice later shifted to the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur when that court was established in the year 2000, following the bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh.

Over the course of his legal career, Justice Koshy held several important positions, including serving as a Government Advocate and later as a Deputy Advocate General for the State of Chhattisgarh. Alongside his professional legal work, he also engaged in academic roles and was associated with Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) in Raipur, contributing to legal education and training in the state.

Justice Koshy was elevated to the bench as an Additional Judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court in June 2013. He was confirmed as a Permanent Judge in May 2016, and he served in that capacity with distinction. In July 2023, he was transferred to the Telangana High Court, where he has since continued his judicial service. His judicial work has been marked by clarity of reasoning, administrative capability, and adherence to constitutional principles.

His appointment as Acting Chief Justice is made under Article 223 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the President to appoint the senior-most judge of a High Court to perform the duties of the Chief Justice when the office is vacant or when the Chief Justice is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office. This provision ensures administrative continuity in High Courts and helps prevent any disruption in judicial functioning.

Justice Koshy’s interim leadership will ensure that the Telangana High Court continues to operate smoothly and efficiently until the new permanent Chief Justice, Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, takes over. Justice Singh is currently serving as the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court and is expected to assume charge in Telangana shortly. In the meantime, Justice Koshy is entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing not just the adjudication of important cases but also the administrative management of the court.

The appointment also reflects the Centre’s trust in Justice Koshy’s experience and leadership, especially during a period of transition. His judicial background and administrative experience make him a suitable choice to head the High Court on an acting basis, ensuring that there is no vacuum in judicial leadership at a time when courts are dealing with an increasing caseload and complex legal issues.

Justice Koshy’s elevation is yet another milestone in his distinguished judicial career and reinforces the significance of seniority and experience in judicial appointments. His temporary stewardship is expected to maintain judicial consistency and uphold the rule of law until the permanent Chief Justice assumes office.