IMPHAL, March 23: Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre was today sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court today by the state Governor Gurbachan Jagat.
The Governor administered the oath of office and secrecy to Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre during a simple function held this morning at the Raj Bhawan, here.
The swearing in ceremony was also attended by the state Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh; Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Ministers, MLAs and other top officials.
The High Court of Manipur was opened from today with the swearing in of the Chief Justice and a Judge.
The ceremony started at 10 am with the arrival of the Chief Justice designate of the High Court of Manipur at the Raj Bhawan and received by the Registrar and the Court Officer No 1.
Later in the evening, the new Chief Justice of the newly set up High Court of Manipur administered the oath of office to Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh as a Judge of the High Court this afternoon at the court premises.
Addressing media persons after the swearing in of the Judge of the Court at the court premises, Chief Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre said that the setting up of the new High Court of Manipur will expedite the disposition of all pending court cases in the state.
He said his first task as the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court would be to ensure that justice is provided to the people of Manipur. He further expressed his hope that the government will appoint the yet to be appointed Judge of the High Court at the earliest and added that he, along with the newly appointed Judge Justice Kotiswar Singh will work to uplift the justice system in the state.
The newly appointed High Court of Manipur Judge, Justice N Kotiswar Singh said the setting up of the High Court in the state and the presence of the Chief Justice will ensure improvement in the present situation of the state.
He said the Court is aware of the problems and difficulties present in the state and further expressed his assurance and belief that under the guidance of the new Chief Justice, the court will solve cases brought before it.
Meanwhile, during an informal chat with media persons, President of the High Court Bar Association, Manipur, Kumarjit said even though a separate High Court of the state has been set up, the Association is unsatisfied as there are still several inadequacies.
He said the number of subordinate courts in the state is still way below par and is almost non-existent.
He continued there is still no proper Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Court in the state and as of now except one attached with the Revenue Tribunal branch of the Settlement and Land Records Department.
Other than Manipur, separate full-fledged High Courts have been set up at Meghalaya and Tripura taking the total number of High Courts in the North Eastern region of the Country to four.
The Union Law minister Ashwani Kumar and Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir will formally inaugurate the Manipur High Court on March 25.