The Central Government has appointed Justice Kempaiah Somashekar of the Karnataka High Court as the new Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court. A notification issued today confirms the appointment, following a recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium dated May 15, 2025.
“In exercise of the power conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Kempaiah Somashekar, Judge of the Karnataka High Court, to be Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office,” the official notification stated.
Justice Somashekar’s appointment comes as the current Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, Justice D Krishnakumar, is set to retire on May 21, 2025.
Judicial Career
Justice Somashekar began his judicial career when he was appointed as a District and Sessions Judge on June 17, 1998. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on November 14, 2016, and became a permanent judge on November 3, 2018.
With over two decades of judicial experience, Justice Somashekar’s elevation marks a significant development for the Manipur High Court, which has been grappling with a challenging law and order scenario in recent times.
