The Ministry of Law and Justice on 31-01-2024, notified the appointment of Justice Pratinidhi Srinivasacharya Dinesh Kumar, by the President of India as the new Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court1.
Justice P.S. Dinesh Kumar was functioning as Karnataka High Court’s Acting Chief Justice after Justice Prasanna B. Varale, former Chief Justice of the High Court was appointed as a Supreme Court Judge.
The Supreme Court Collegium on 19-1-2024, recommended Justice PS Dinesh Kumar’s name for appointment as 33rd Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court. The Collegium comprising of Dr Justice DY Chandrachud, the Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice BR Gavai, observed that the office of the Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka would be falling vacant consequent upon elevation of Justice Prasanna B. Varale to the Supreme Court.
The Collegium noted that Justice Pratinidhi Srinivasacharya Dinesh Kumar, who was appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Karnataka on 02-1-2015, is due to demit office on 24-02-2024 and will have a tenure as a Chief Justice for little over a month.
While recommending Justice Dinesh Kumar’s name, the Collegium observed that he has been endowed with high level of integrity, honesty and competence and has served the High Court of Karnataka with distinction since his appointment. The Collegium further pointed out that it is conscious of the fact that in the seniority of Judges of High Court of Karnataka, Justice PS Dinesh Kumar is second senior-most Judge after Justice Narendar G, who is currently functioning on transfer in the Andhra Pradesh High Court and has a long tenure ahead of him.
