Newly sworn-in Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, stressed the vital role of lawyers in delivering justice, remarking, “The Bench and the Bar are often described as two wheels of the same chariot… A judge is only as good as the assistance they receive from the Bar.”
Newly sworn-in Madras High Court Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari highlighted the vital contribution of the legal fraternity to the administration of justice, noting that a judge’s effectiveness depends significantly on the support provided by lawyers.
Speaking to members of the Bar after taking office as the 55th Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Justice Dharmadhikari said the Bench and the Bar must collaborate to preserve the dignity and efficiency of the justice system.
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He said,
“The Bench and the Bar are often described as two wheels of the same chariot. However, I prefer to see us as partners in the quest. A judge is only as good as the assistance they receive from the Bar,”
Justice Dharmadhikari set out three priorities for his tenure: cutting down case backlogs, enhancing the role of technology in the justice system, and supporting the professional growth of young lawyers.
On reducing pendency, he called for shared responsibility to keep the justice system effective and responsive.
Urging the legal community to avoid unnecessary adjournments and curb frivolous litigation, he said,
“(Regarding) reduction of pendency we must work together to ensure that justice delayed is justice denied remains a warning we heed, not a reality we accept,”
He stressed modernising court procedures through technology to make courts more accessible to litigants.
Adding that digitisation and simplified procedures would help create a more citizen-centric justice delivery system, the Chief Justice said,
“We will continue to modernise our systems, making the court more accessible to the common litigant through e-filing and hybrid hearings,”
Justice Dharmadhikari also emphasised the importance of mentoring younger members of the profession.
Expressing confidence that the court would provide an environment where junior lawyers are encouraged and guided, he said,
“The future of this institution lies in the hands of its young advocates,”
Reflecting on his new role, he described heading one of India’s oldest chartered High Courts as both a significant milestone and a solemn duty.
Adding that he would perform his duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will, he said,
“The institution is greater than any individual and rests upon independence, transparency and public confidence,”
He thanked the Supreme Court Collegium for recommending his appointment, singling out Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath and JK Maheshwari for their support.
Advocate General PS Raman, welcoming the Chief Justice, recalled Justice Dharmadhikari’s legal beginnings in 1992 under the mentorship of his uncle and former Madhya Pradesh Advocate General YS Dharmadhikari.
Justice Dharmadhikari was elevated to the Madhya Pradesh High Court bench in April 2016, transferred to the Kerala High Court in April 2025, and has now been appointed Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. He succeeds Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, who retired earlier this week.
Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari, born on July 8, 1966, in Raipur to the late Arvind H. Dharmadhikari and the late Shubha Dharmadhikari, completed his B.Com and LL.B. at Nagpur University. He enrolled as an advocate at the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur in 1992.
From 2000 to 2015 he served as Standing Counsel for the Union of India and also represented the Income Tax Department and the Reserve Bank of India.
He acted as Senior Standing Counsel for Central Excise, the District Central Co‑operative Bank of Hoshangabad, and various public sector bodies including Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, BSNL, the Welfare Commissioner, and the Bhopal Gas Victims’ organizations.
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