Meghalaya HC gets new Chief Justice

New Delhi: In a sudden move, the Supreme Court on Sunday transferred Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice, Meghalaya High Court to Orissa High Court and elevated Justice Biswanath Somadder, Judge, Allahabad High Court in his place.
The recommendation was made by the Supreme Court collegium.
Justice Somadder practiced in the High Court at Calcutta as well as the Supreme Court of India.
Earlier he was Senior Counsel for the Central Government in the High Court at Calcutta and was elevated as a permanent Judge in 2006.
Though there is no controversy over appointment of the Chief Justice this time, the frequency of the transfers has raised eyebrows in legal circle.
Justice Rafiq had taken over as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court less than six months ago.
Prior to him Justice Vijaya Tahilramani, who was transferred to Meghalaya High Court as Chief Justice, had resigned in protest.
Her transfer and frequency of changing judges in Meghalaya High Court had created an impression that the region is being used as a punishment terrain.