Former Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir dies

Altamas Kabir, former Chief Justice of India (CJI), passed away on 19 February 2017 after prolonged illness in Kolkata, West Bengal. He was 68.

Kabir served as the 39th Chief Justice of India from September 2012 to July 2013.

About Altamas Kabir

• Altamas Kabir was born in Calcutta in 1948.

• He graduated in history from Presidency College.

• Later, he affiliated with the University of Calcutta to study law.

• He was admitted to the bar in 1973 and practiced civil and criminal law in Kolkata at the district court and the Calcutta High Court, Kolkata.

• On 6 August 1990, he was made a permanent judge of Calcutta High Court.

• He assumed the office of acting Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court on 11 January 2005.

• On 14 January 2010, he was appointed as Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. Under his chairmanship, a national plan of action was taken up to be executed by all State Legal Services Authorities. Also, providing legal services to Transgender people was taken up as a new project of NALSA.

• On 3 January 2005, he became the Acting Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court. The elevation was made permanent on 1 March 2005.

• On 9 September 2005, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India as Justice.

• On 29 September 2012, he became the 39th Chief Justice of India.