Shillong, Nov 13: Newly sworn in Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, Justice Mohammad Rafiq on Wednesday said that his top priority is to combat the backlog of cases.

“My area of priority is to look on the cases which are more than five years,” Rafiq told reporters after Governor Tathagata Roy administered him the oath of office and secrecy as Chief Justice.

“I am told that there are 2500 cases in the Subordinate Court in the State. I will try to strengthen the computerization of the High Court and the subordinate court. This will be my priority,” he said.

“I will look on the others issues which I need to prioritise once I am made about the things and then I will decide how to move ahead,” Justice Rafiq added.

Moreover, Rafiq said he will also try to boost to the Lok Adalat Movement and the medical cell in the court.

Born in Churu, Rajasthan , Rafiq , started his law practice in 1984. He practiced exclusively in Rajasthan High Court in almost all branches of law. He served as an advocate from 1999 to 2006.

He has been recognized as an expert on Indian Constitution, service, land acquisition, tax, and company law cases.

In 2008, he was appointed as Justice at the Rajasthan High Court. Rafiq also served as acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court twice.

On October 15, the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Rajasthan High Court Judge, Justice Muhammad Rafiq as the new Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.