M. S. Sonak
Hon'ble Chief Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak | |
|---|---|
| 18th Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court | |
| Assumed office 9 January 2026 | |
| Nominated by | Surya Kant |
| Appointed by | Droupadi Murmu |
| Preceded by | Tarlok Singh Chauhan |
| Judge of Bombay High Court | |
| In office 21 June 2013 – 8 January 2026 | |
| Nominated by | Altamas Kabir |
| Appointed by | Pranab Mukherjee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 November 1964 |
| Education | B.Sc and LL.B |
| Alma mater | M. S. College of Law, Panaji |
Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak (born 1964) is an Indian judge currently serving as the chief justice of Jharkhand High Court.[1][2][3] He is former judge of the Bombay High Court, India.[4][5][6]
Life and career
Justice Sonak was born on 28 November 1964 and completed his education including Law in Panaji, Goa. He was enrolled as advocate with Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in October 1988 and practised at Panaji bench of Bombay High Court. He was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on 21 June 2013 and was made permanent on 2 March 2016.
In May 2024, Justice Sonak created history by becoming the first person in Goa to register Living will.[7][8]
On 18 December 2025, Supreme court collegium headed by CJI Surya Kant recommended him to be appointed as chief justice of Jharkhand High Court[9] and central government cleared his elevation on 2 January 2026.[10] He took oath as chief justice of Jharkhand High Court on 9 January 2026.[11]
References
- ^ "High Court of Jharkhand, India". jharkhandhighcourt.nic.in. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
- ^ PTI (9 January 2026). "Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "झारखंड हाई कोर्ट को मिले नए चीफ जस्टिस, महेश शरदचंद्र सोनक को राज्यपाल ने दिलाई शपथ". www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 9 January 2026. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ "Profile : M. S. Sonak". Bombay High Court.
- ^ Joshi, Neha (7 January 2026). "Silence is a crime when there is a duty to speak: Justice MS Sonak bids farewell to Bombay High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Service, Express News (2 January 2026). "Bombay HC judge MS Sonak appointed Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
- ^ Shrivastava, Amisha (3 June 2024). "Justice MS Sonak Of Bombay High Court Registers Goa's First 'Living Will'". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ Joshi, Neha (1 June 2024). "Justice MS Sonak of Bombay High Court becomes first person in Goa to register 'Living Will'". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ Bench, Bar & (18 December 2025). "Collegium recommends appointment of Bombay High Court Justice MS Sonak as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 3 January 2026.
- ^ "Centre Notifies Appointment Of Justice MS Sonak As Chief Justice Of Jharkhand High Court". Live Law. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ^ PTI (8 January 2026). "Newly appointed J'khand HC Chief Justice M S Sonak arrives in Ranchi, to take oath on Jan 9". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 January 2026.