Odisha born Dipak Misra is set to be sworn in on Monday as India’s 45th chief justice

Newdelhi:27/8/17:Dipak Misra is set to be sworn in on Monday as India’s 45th chief justice, a position that will give him the chance to take on several challenges for the country in general, and the judiciary in particular.

Misra, who takes over from JS Khehar, began his career on February 14, 1977 when he was enrolled as an advocate. Misra was appointed as an additional judge of the Orissa High Court in 1996, and transferred to Madhya Pradesh a year later. In 2009, he became the chief justice of the Patna High Court before moving to head Delhi HC in 2010.

On October 10, 2011, Misra was appointed to the Supreme Court.

Besides the challenge to appoint judges, Misra has work cut out for him on the judicial side. He will be hearing contentious cases such as the Babri-Masjid dispute, Cauvery water dispute, women’s right to enter the Sabrimala temple in Kerala, and the legal challenge to Article 35A that gives special status Kashmir.

As chairman of National Legal Services Authority, he has introduced several measures to provide legal aid to poor litigants. He is the mastermind behind the idea of introducing Legal Assistance Establishments in states to streamline the NALSA’s activities.

In court Justice Misra is often seen quoting poetry and verse. He often engages himself in conversation with senior advocates on literary works.

There have been times when he has stump well-known jurists with his knowledge on classics and literature, and his passion is reflected in his judgements.