LI Network
Published on: 19 July, 2025 22:06 IST
In a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru on Saturday, Justice Vibhu Bakhru officially took oath as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The oath was administered by Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Just days before his elevation, Justice Bakhru was given a warm farewell at the Delhi High Court, where he served for over a decade. In his heartfelt address, he thanked the court for shaping him—not just as a lawyer and a judge, but as a person.
“There is no work-life balance in the legal profession. There is only work—and that’s life. My law researchers have come to learn that,” Justice Bakhru said during his emotional speech. He also shared how the Delhi High Court would always hold a special place in his heart. “I carry a part of this court with me—its values, its people, and its legacy—as I move to Karnataka,” he added.
Justice Bakhru was first appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2013 and became a permanent judge in 2015. Prior to that, he was designated as a senior advocate in July 2011. He also served as Chairman of the Delhi International Arbitration Centre and played a key role in its growth, a contribution acknowledged by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya during the farewell ceremony.
Senior Advocate N. Hariharan, President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, and Standing Counsel for the Delhi Government, Sameer Vashisht, also spoke on the occasion. Vashisht noted, “Karnataka awaits not just your decisions, but your leadership.”
Justice Bakhru’s legal journey began in 1990 after completing his law degree and enrolling with the Delhi Bar Council. A qualified Chartered Accountant as well, he practiced law for over two decades across the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and various tribunals.
As he embarks on his new role, Justice Bakhru leaves behind a lasting legacy in Delhi—and steps into his new chapter with the hopes and expectations of Karnataka’s judiciary resting on his shoulders.