The Union government has formally cleared the appointment of Justice A Muhamed Mustaque as the next Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, acting on the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium at its meeting last month.
Justice Mustaque will take charge upon assuming office, succeeding the interim arrangement under which Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai has been serving as Acting Chief Justice.
A judge of the Kerala High Court, Justice Mustaque brings with him a career shaped by both courtroom practice and academic depth. Born on June 1, 1967, in Kannur, he began his legal journey after earning his law degree from VB College of Law, Udupi, followed by a postgraduate qualification in Labour Law from Mahatma Gandhi University.
Enrolled as an advocate in 1989, he practised largely in Kannur before expanding his legal exposure through specialised international programmes. His academic pursuits took him to Paris XI University for space and telecommunication law, the Hague Academy for private international law, and the World Intellectual Property Organization for studies in e-commerce and intellectual property.
He joined the Kerala High Court as an Additional Judge in 2014, became a Permanent Judge in 2016, and later served as Acting Chief Justice in 2024.
The Sikkim High Court currently functions with two judges, making it the smallest High Court in the country. With Justice Mustaque’s appointment, its judicial strength will reach the full sanctioned complement of three judges, restoring the court to full capacity.
