SC Collegium recommends elevation of 2 Punjab-Haryana HC judges as chief justices

Justice Rao, who was appointed as a judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on 29 June 2012, had been functioning at the Punjab and Haryana HC since October 12, 2021.

The SC Collegium order said, “Justice Rao has acquired experience of dispensing justice in two High Courts. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that he is suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh.”

“In terms of the Memorandum of Procedure, consultation has been held with the consultee-Judge/s with a view to ascertain the suitability of Justice M S Ramachandra Rao for appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. The consultee-Judge/s have concurred with the proposed appointment…the Collegium resolves to recommend that Justice M S Ramachandra Rao be appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh”, read the SC Collegium order.

As per official records of the HC, Justice Rao was born on August 7, 1966 at Hyderabad. He studied B.Sc.(Hons.)(Mathematics) from Bhavans New Science College, Osmania University. He passed LL.B. from University College of Law, Osmania University, Hyderabad in 1989 and was awarded CVSS Acharyulu Gold Medal by the Osmania University for securing highest marks in the final year LL.B.

Justice Rao enrolled as an Advocate on September 7, 1989, and secured LL.M. from the University of Cambridge U.K. in 1991. He was awarded the Cambridge Common Wealth Scholarship and the Bank of Credit and Commerce International Scholarship for study of the LL.M. course at the Cambridge University, U.K. He was also awarded the Pegasus Scholarship by the Scholarship Trust, Inner Temple, London and was provided training in the Brick Court Chambers, Middle Temple, London and in Clifford Chance, a multinational Solicitors from London.

As Advocate, he had practiced law in the area of Civil Law, Arbitration, Company Law, Administrative and Constitutional Law, Labour and Service Law. His father Justice M Jagannadha Rao was a former Judge of The Supreme Court of India (1997-2000) and former Chairman of Law Commission of India. His grandfather M.S. Ramachandra Rao was also a Judge of The High Court of Andhra Pradesh from 1960-1961.

On Justice Masih, the order SC Collegium read: “He has acquired experience of dispensing justice in a High Court having jurisdiction over two States. He is the senior most puisne Judge in his parent High Court which presently has no representation among the Chief Justices of the High Courts. Having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that he is suitable in all respects for being appointed as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.”

Born on March 12, 1963 at Ropar, Punjab, Justice Masih after initial schooling in St. Mary’s Convent School, Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh), completed school education from Saifuddin Tahir High School, Aligarh. Graduated in Science [Honours] and then LL.B. (Hons.) from Aligarh Muslim University at Aligarh.

He enrolled as an Advocate on the rolls of Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana Bar Council on June 6, 1987. He practiced on both Original and Appellate sides in the field of Constitution Law, Service Law, Labour Law, Civil Law, etc.

He held the posts of Assistant Advocate General, Deputy Advocate General, Additional Advocate General in the office of Advocate General, Punjab. Sworn in as Additional Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 10, 2008 and as a Permanent Judge on January 14, 2011.