Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan

Born on 9.1.1964 in Tehsil Rohru. Did his entire schooling from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla and was the House Captain Ibbetson House and thereafter the School Captain. Graduated with Honours from DAV College, Chandigarh and thereafter obtained degree in Law from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh in 1989 and joined illustrious chamber of Lala Chhabil Das, Advocate. Started practice in High Court of Himachal Pradesh and practiced in all branches of law. Prior to elevation was Standing Counsel-cum-Legal Advisor of H.P. State Electricity Board Ltd. and earlier to that was Standing Counsel-cum-Legal Advisor of H.P. State Civil Supplies Corporation. Conducted cases of various departments including Boards, Corporations, Financial Institutions, Public and Private Companies, Educational Institutions and Cooperative Societies etc. As a Lawyer, had been actively associated with the Legal Aid Programmes. Remained member of various Lok Adalats. Was appointed Amicus-Curiae by the High Court in many important cases relating to violation of Environmental Laws by the Hydel Projects, Ropeways etc., ban on plastic and tobacco products, implementation of Solid Waste Management Projects and framing of road construction policy in Himachal Pradesh. Elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and assumed the Office as such on 23.2.2014 (F.N.) Took oath as Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh on 30th November 2014 (Forenoon).

His Lordship is the Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Himachal Pradesh w.e.f. 5.5.2014 and during this period, his Lordship has done tremendous work with keen interest for the welfare and interest of the children of Bal/Balika Ashrams, Himachal, Hospital For Mental Health and Rehab Shimla and old age homes of Himachal Pradesh. Participated in various National and International Conferences including the International Judicial Conference on the theme – “Judiciary and the Changing World” held w.e.f. 21.2.2020 to 23.2.2020 in the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, one Day’s National Level Conference on the Effective Implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 held on 14.12.2019 in Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, North Zone-1 Regional Conference held on Contemporary Judicial Developments and strengthening Justice through Law and Technology” on 24th and 25th September, 2022, “Constitution Day Celebrations and Conference on E-Governance in Judicial Domain at Delhi held on 26th and 27th November, 2022.,“two-day National Conference of “Digitization and Paperless Courts” held on 6th and 7th May, 2023, celebration of “Constitution Day” on 26.11.2023 and the 1st Regional Conference on Access to Legal Aid: Strengthening Acess to Justice in the Global South” held on 27th and 28th November, 2023 at New Delhi, North Zone-I Regional Conference on “Contemporary Judicial Developments and Strengthening Justice through Law & Technology” held on 30th September & 1st October, 2023 at Nainital, North Zone-II Regional Conference on “Contemporary Judicial Developments and Strengthening Justice through Law and Technology” at Lucknow on 16th and 17th March, 2024, Conference on Technology in the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi on 13.04.2024 and 14.04.2024 and Conference on Re-engineering Judicial Process through Information & Communication Technology (ICT) on 9th and 10th March, 2024 at National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.

His Lordship was one of the Members out of three High Courts Judges, who participated in the International Learning Exchange Programme with focus on the “reform of Care and Protection services for children” held in Romania with effect from 13th to 17th May, 2019. His Lordship is the first Judge of this High Court to have participated in any such International Conference held abroad. His Lordship attended the “National Annual Stakeholders Consultation on Child Protection” held on 10th and 11th December, 2022 in the Supreme Court of India, New Delhi. Remained as Member of the Governing Council as well as Executive Council of the Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla w.e.f. 12.11.2016. Held the post of President of the H.P. Judicial Academy w.e.f. 18.11.2018 to 15.3.2020 and w.e.f. 1.3.2021 to 5.4.2023. Heading the Computer and e-Courts Committee of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, the computerization in the High Court as well as Subordinate Courts has scaled new heights as now the Advocates/litigants apart from getting information about their cases can also access various other services i.e. applying online for certified copy, pay court fees online, access cause-list, e-file a case (ITR), apply only for e-Gate Pass etc. Further, under his Lordship’s guidance, peripheries have been developed for the day to day working of the High Court as well as Subordinate Courts. To name a few, Typing Test Software has been developed for conducting type test, D-space Repository Software has been developed to store scanned decided files, Display Boards for the current status of the cases taken up in the Courts, SMS and email facility for the Judicial Officers as well as advocates, implementation of e-Office Software in the Establishment Branch of the Registry, Vigilance Software for generation of reports qua institution, disposal and pendency of various categories of cases, Software for tracking the matters pending with other departments/Government etc. Remained as Executive Chairman of the H.P. State Legal Services Authority w.e.f. 13.3.2020 to 25.2.2021 and thereafter w.e.f. 18.9.2021 to 07.11.2021 and now again continuing as Executive Chairman of the H.P. State Legal Services Authority w.e.f. 29.3.2023. Has delivered a number of landmark judgments and till date 69,805 number of cases have been disposed of by his Lordship. Remained as Acting Chief Justice w.e.f. 20.04.2023 to 29.05.2023 and again w.e.f. 19.10.2024.