THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Feb 15: Vinod Kumar Gupta, the first Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, passed away today in New Delhi after a prolonged illness. He was 78.
Justice Gupta played a crucial role in establishing a strong judicial foundation in Jharkhand. He is survived by his wife, Usha Gupta, daughter, Ruchira Gupta, and son, Gaurav Gupta. His last rites will be performed tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi.
A Legacy of Landmark Judgments
Born on September 10, 1947, Justice Gupta delivered several landmark judgments on key issues, including domicile and reservation policies, during Jharkhand’s early years after its separation from Bihar on November 15, 2000. He is also remembered for his significant contributions to strengthening the state and district judiciary’s infrastructure in record time.
Education and Early Legal Career
Justice Gupta received his early education in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. He earned his LL.B. from Delhi University and was enrolled as an advocate with the Delhi Bar Council on July 23, 1970. He practised on both the original and appellate sides of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court.
He also served as the Advocate General of Jammu & Kashmir and was a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Jammu. Actively involved in bar activities, he held various positions, including President, Vice President, and Secretary of the Bar Association.
Judicial Career and Appointments
In 1990, he was designated as a Senior Advocate and was elevated to a permanent judgeship of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court on November 7, 1990. He was later transferred to the Calcutta High Court on May 6, 1996.
On November 15, 2000, Justice Gupta was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of the newly formed Jharkhand High Court and was officially designated as its Chief Justice on December 5, 2000.
He was later transferred as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on March 8, 2003, and subsequently to Uttarakhand, where he assumed charge as Chief Justice on February 2, 2008. He retired on September 9, 2009.
