| File:JUSTICE M.S. SONAK.jpg | |
| Office | 18th Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court |
|---|---|
| Office | Judge of Bombay High Court
|
| Term start | 9 January 2026
|
| Predecessor | Tarlok Singh Chauhan
|
| Born | 1964-11-28 (age 62)
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| Alma mater | M. S. College of Law, Panaji
|
Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak (born 1964) is an Indian judge currently serving as the chief justice of Jharkhand High Court.[1][2][3] He is former judge of the Bombay High Court, India.[4][5][6]
Life and career
Justice Sonak was born on 28 November 1964 and completed his education including Law in Panaji, Goa. He was enrolled as advocate with Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in October 1988 and practised at Panaji bench of Bombay High Court. He was elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on 21 June 2013 and was made permanent on 2 March 2016.
In May 2024, Justice Sonak created history by becoming the first person in Goa to register Living will.[7][8]
On 18 December 2025, Supreme court collegium headed by CJI Surya Kant recommended him to be appointed as chief justice of Jharkhand High Court[9] and central government cleared his elevation on 2 January 2026.[10] He took oath as chief justice of Jharkhand High Court on 9 January 2026.[11]
References
- ↑ High Court of Jharkhand, India. jharkhandhighcourt.nic.in. Retrieved 2026-01-08.
- ↑ Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court. The Hindu(2026-01-09). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ↑ झारखंड हाई कोर्ट को मिले नए चीफ जस्टिस, महेश शरदचंद्र सोनक को राज्यपाल ने दिलाई शपथ. www.livehindustan.com(2026-01-09). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ↑ Profile : M. S. Sonak. Bombay High Court.
- ↑ Silence is a crime when there is a duty to speak: Justice MS Sonak bids farewell to Bombay High Court, Joshi, Neha. Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news(2026-01-07). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ↑ Bombay HC judge MS Sonak appointed Chief Justice of Jharkhand HC, Service, Express News. The New Indian Express(2026-01-02). Retrieved 2026-01-09.
- ↑ Justice MS Sonak Of Bombay High Court Registers Goa's First 'Living Will', Shrivastava, Amisha. www.livelaw.in(2024-06-03). Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ Justice MS Sonak of Bombay High Court becomes first person in Goa to register 'Living Will', Joshi, Neha. Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news(2024-06-01). Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ Collegium recommends appointment of Bombay High Court Justice MS Sonak as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court, Bench, Bar &. Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news(2025-12-18). Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ↑ Centre Notifies Appointment Of Justice MS Sonak As Chief Justice Of Jharkhand High Court. Live Law(2 January 2026). Retrieved 2 January 2026.
- ↑ Newly appointed J'khand HC Chief Justice M S Sonak arrives in Ranchi, to take oath on Jan 9, PTI. ThePrint(2026-01-08). Retrieved 2026-01-08.