Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph moved to Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph, who hit the headlines recently when he quashed president's rule in Uttarakhand, has been transferred as Chief Justice of the High court of Andhra and Telangana.

Justice Joseph headed the division bench which was sharply critical of the manner in which Governor had recommended President's Rule in the state, a day ahead of a scheduled floor test agreed to by the then Congress CM Harish Rawat.

It had also directed that Rawat be restored as CM if he cleared a floor test. Supreme court sources though described his transfer as a routine one for administrative reasons.

Before his appointment as Uttarakhand Chief Justice on July 31, 2014, Joseph had served as a judge of the Kerala High Court for over 9 years.

Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale of the Andhra High Court has been elevated and made Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court as part of the reshuffle.

These recommendations made by the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, are now with the Law Ministry and may come into effect within a fortnight.