Shillong, Apr 27: Justice Biswanath Somadder was sworn in as the ninth Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court by Governor Tathagata Roy at the Raj Bhavan on Monday.

Meghalaya Law Minister James Sangma, Chief Secretary M.S.Rao, Meghalaya High Court judge Justice Hamarsan Sing Thangkhiew, Director General of Police R Chandranathan attended the swearing-in-ceremony of the 56-year old Justice Somadder.

Justice Somadder, who was earlier the judge of Allahabad High Court, arrived in Shillong on Sunday evening.

He travelled by road covering a distance of 1907 Km, from Allahabad via Kolkata to Shillong.

Justice Somadder embarked on a road journey since the air and rail passenger services suspended due to the nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Serious questions were raised if the newly sworn in Chief Justice have followed all the health and safety protocols as the nation is battling against the contagious COVID-19.

“I am yet to get a report on it. However, it is mandatory that everyone adhere to the health and safety protocols,” State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Alexander Laloo Hek said.

Justice Somadder succeeds Chief Justice Muhammad Rafiq, who has been now transferred as Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

Enrolled as an Advocate on July 21, 1989, Justice Somadder practiced Calcutta High Court as well as the Supreme Court of India. He also appeared before CESTAT, Eastern Regional Bench.

He was elevated to the Bench of the High Court at Calcutta as a permanent Judge on June 22, 2006 and was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority, West Bengal, in 2018.

Justice Somadder was also judge-in-Charge, Administrative Department, High Court at Calcutta, to discharge the functions assigned under the Appellate Side Rules of the High Court at Calcutta, with effect from November 19, 2018. He was also Acting Chief Justice from January 1, 2019 till April 3, 2019.

Justice Somadder assumed charge as Judge of Allahabad High Court on and from October 17, 2019.