Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, the incumbent Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, demitted office on April 24, 2026 on attaining superannuation, paving the way for the swearing-in of Justice Lisa Gill as the Court's first woman Chief Justice on April 25, 2026. The Department of Justice notification dated April 22, 2026, issued by the President of India in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution, formally appointed Justice Gill as Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. The Collegium, headed by the Chief Justice of India, had originally recommended her elevation to a Chief Justice slot on February 26, 2026 while she was serving as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In line with the Collegium's policy of moving Chief-Justice-designates well in advance of the arising vacancy to improve institutional efficiency, she had been transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on March 6, 2026. Justice Lisa Gill enrolled as an advocate in 1990, built a diverse practice covering criminal, civil, service, revenue and constitutional matters at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and was elevated to the Bench in March 2014. She has served on the Bench for over eleven years and brings nearly thirty-six years of legal experience to the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Her appointment is a notable milestone for women in the higher judiciary as she becomes the first woman to hold the Chief Justice's post since the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh High Court began functioning at Amaravati.
Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur Retires as Andhra Pradesh High Court Chief Justice on April 24, 2026; Justice Lisa Gill, Notified by President under Article 217(1) on April 22, Set to Take Oath on April 25 as the Court's First Woman Chief Justice
Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur retired as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on April 24, 2026 on superannuation. The President, exercising powers under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, had on April 22, 2026 notified the appointment of Justice Lisa Gill, transferred from the Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 6, 2026, who will take oath on April 25, 2026 as the Court's first woman Chief Justice.
Key facts
- Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur retired as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on April 24, 2026 on attaining superannuation.
- The President of India, under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, notified the appointment of Justice Lisa Gill as Chief Justice through a Department of Justice notification dated April 22, 2026.
- Justice Lisa Gill will take oath on April 25, 2026 as the first woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended her elevation to a Chief Justice slot on February 26, 2026.
- She was transferred from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on March 6, 2026 under the Collegium policy of advance transfers for Chief-Justice-designates.
- Justice Gill enrolled as an advocate in 1990 and was elevated to the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bench in March 2014.
- She brings nearly thirty-six years of legal experience including over eleven years on the Bench.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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With reference to the appointment of Justice Lisa Gill as Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, consider the following statements: 1. The President of India issued the appointment notification on April 22, 2026 under Article 217(1) of the Constitution. 2. Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, the outgoing Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, demitted office on April 24, 2026 on attaining superannuation. 3. Justice Lisa Gill was transferred from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on March 6, 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?
All three statements are correct as per the Department of Justice notification of April 22, 2026 and SCC OnLine reports. The President exercised powers under Article 217(1) on April 22, Justice Thakur retired on April 24, and Justice Lisa Gill had been transferred from Punjab and Haryana HC on March 6, 2026 under the Collegium policy of advance transfers for Chief-Justice-designates.
Frequently asked questions
Under which constitutional provision was Justice Lisa Gill appointed Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court?
She was appointed by the President of India under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, which deals with the appointment of judges of a High Court.
Why is the appointment of Justice Lisa Gill historically significant?
She becomes the first woman Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court when she takes oath on April 25, 2026.
When did the Supreme Court Collegium recommend her appointment as Chief Justice?
The Collegium recommended her elevation to a Chief Justice slot on February 26, 2026 while she was a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Why was she transferred to the Andhra Pradesh High Court in advance?
To improve institutional efficiency, the Collegium follows a policy of moving Chief-Justice-designates well in advance of the vacancy. She was transferred on March 6, 2026.
What is the role of Article 217 of the Constitution?
Article 217 lays down the procedure for appointment, conditions of service and term of office of judges of every High Court in India.
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