Justice M Sundar is set to take over as the new Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, with the Centre giving its nod to the Supreme Court Collegium’s recent recommendation. He will step into the role after September 14, following the retirement of Justice Kempaiah Somashekar.
Currently the second senior-most judge at the Madras High Court, Justice Sundar’s appointment continues a curious tradition—judges from the Madras Bench frequently moving east to head the Manipur High Court. His predecessors in that lineage include Justices Ramalingam Sudhakar, MV Muralidharan, and D Krishna Kumar.
Born in Chennai on July 19, 1966, Sundar studied law at Madras Law College, among the pioneers of its inaugural five-year integrated course. After enrolling as an advocate in 1989, he built a thriving practice before the Madras High Court, specialising in civil law. His judicial career took a decisive turn in 2016 when he was elevated as a permanent judge, where he went on to deliver a series of notable rulings.
Justice Sundar’s arrival in Imphal marks both continuity and change: continuity in the tradition of Madras High Court jurists leading the Manipur bench, and change in the leadership at a court navigating crucial times.
