The Central government has approved the appointment of Justice Harish Tandon as the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.

Union Minister of State for Law & Justice (Independent Charge), Arjun Ram Meghwal, announced the decision on Friday via a post on social media.

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Tandon’s appointment on March 6, following the retirement of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh on January 19.

Justice Arindam Sinha, who is currently serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, has been recommended for transfer to the Allahabad High Court by the Collegium. This recommendation is pending approval from the Central government.

Justice Harish Tandon, who has been serving as a judge of the Calcutta High Court since April 13, 2010, ranks seventh in the All-India Seniority of High Court Judges and is a senior puisne judge in his parent High Court.

Before his elevation to the bench, he practiced in civil matters at the Calcutta High Court.