Justice T Vinod Kumar takes oath as Madras High Court judge after over 2 weeks of his transfer from Telangana High Court, marking a new chapter in his judicial career.
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MADRAS: Justice T Vinod Kumar was formally sworn in as a judge of the Madras High Court more than two weeks after his transfer from the Telangana High Court, notified by the Central government.
The oath was administered by Madras High Court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava on Thursday, marking Justice Kumar’s official transition to one of India’s oldest and most esteemed High Courts. The Central government had cleared his transfer on July 14, 2025, following the recommendation by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 26.
Unlike the other 18 High Court judges whose transfers were notified on the same date and who assumed charge shortly thereafter, Justice Kumar continued to function at the Telangana High Court until as recently as Monday, even hearing and deciding cases. Notably, no formal farewell was held for him at the Telangana High Court.
Despite the delay, the mood at the Madras High Court was one of celebration and optimism. Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman warmly welcomed Justice Kumar, expressing confidence that the judge would feel “at home in Tamil Nadu.”
In his address during the swearing-in ceremony, Justice Kumar expressed deep gratitude for becoming part of what he described as a “legendary institution”, the Madras High Court. He praised its longstanding contribution to upholding social justice, saying:
“It’s an honour to be part of this legendary institution which stood strong through the trials of time and has played an important role in shaping the fabric of social justice in our country.”
Justice Kumar underscored the importance of collaboration between the Bar and the Bench, emphasizing that only through mutual respect and harmony can justice truly reach the most vulnerable.
He also emphasized a personal note, sharing his excitement about moving to Chennai,
“Having been a plateau dweller so far, I am excited about the prospect of living in the proximity of the sea, and should time permit, even take long walks along the beach, which I have never done before.”
He concluded by saying that this new chapter in his judicial service would remain close to his heart.
Justice T Vinod Kumar enrolled as an advocate in 1988 after completing his law degree from Osmania University. Known for his expertise in taxation, he served as a Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department before his elevation to the Bench in August 2019.
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