On July 21, 2025, Justice Vibhu Bakhru took a big step in his career. He became the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. This was a special day for him and for Karnataka. His story is one of hard work, learning, and serving people through law. Let us look at his life in simple words, filled with interesting details to inspire readers.
Early Life And Education
Vibhu Bakhru was born on November 2, 1966, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He grew up in a simple family. His parents valued education and discipline. As a young boy, Vibhu was curious. He loved to read and learn new things. He went to Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, in New Delhi. This school helped him build a strong base. He was a bright student, always eager to know more. His teachers saw his talent early. They encouraged him to work hard and dream big.
After school, Vibhu joined Delhi University. He studied commerce and earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in 1987. He was good with numbers. This skill helped him later in life. In 1989, he became a chartered accountant. This was a big achievement. But Vibhu wanted to do more. He had a dream to work in law. So, he studied law and got his LLB degree in 1990. This was the start of his journey in the legal world.
Vibhu Bakhru Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Religion, Wife, Daughter
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vibhu Bakhru |
| Date of Birth | November 2, 1966 |
| Place of Birth | Nagpur, Maharashtra, India |
| Education | - Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi - Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Delhi University, 1987 - Chartered Accountant, 1989 - LLB, 1990 |
| Early Career | - Enrolled as advocate, Bar Council of Delhi, September 1990 - Practiced in Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, Company Law Board - Specialized in commercial law |
| Senior Advocate | Designated as Senior Advocate by Delhi High Court, July 2011 |
| Judicial Career Start | Appointed Additional Judge, Delhi High Court, April 19, 2013 |
| Permanent Judge | Became Permanent Judge, Delhi High Court, March 2015 |
| Acting Chief Justice | Served as Acting Chief Justice, Delhi High Court, Dec 2024–Jan 2025 |
| Chief Justice | Appointed Chief Justice, Karnataka High Court, July 19, 2025 |
| Key Contributions | - Clear rulings on arbitration & corruption laws - Promoted court technology - Shared asset details for transparency |
| Notable Qualities | - Honest, calm, fair - Nicknamed “silent assassin” for powerful yet quiet presence |
| Personal Interests | - Reading law and history - Values learning and discipline |
| Inspirations | - Admires Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; follows his ideas on justice |
| Goals as Chief Justice | - Reduce pending cases - Use technology for faster, paperless courts - Make justice accessible to poor/rural people |
| Key Events | - Oath as Chief Justice at Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru, July 19, 2025 - Approved by Central Govt., July 14, 2025 |
| Recognition | - Praised for transparency and leadership - Role model for young lawyers |
Early Career
In September 1990, Vibhu joined the Bar Council of Delhi as an advocate. He was young and full of energy. He worked in many courts, like the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court, and Company Law Board. He took on different cases. Some were about business, some about other laws. Vibhu worked hard to understand each case. He spent long hours reading and preparing. His clients trusted him because he was honest and smart. He had a calm way of speaking in court. This made people listen to him carefully.
Senior Advocate
Vibhu’s hard work paid off. In July 2011, the Delhi High Court named him a Senior Advocate. This was a proud moment. Being a Senior Advocate is a big honor in law. It showed that Vibhu was one of the best lawyers. He handled many important cases. He was known for being fair and clear in his work. People respected him for his knowledge and kind nature.
Judicial Career Start
In April 2013, Vibhu’s life changed again. He became an Additional Judge at the Delhi High Court. This was a new role. He was no longer just a lawyer. Now, he was a judge who made decisions to bring justice. In March 2015, he became a permanent judge. As a judge, Vibhu worked on many cases. Some were about business laws, some about crimes. He always listened carefully to both sides. His rulings were fair and based on the law. He wanted to make sure justice was served.
Vibhu Bakhru became known for his clear thinking. He made important rulings that helped people understand the law better. For example, in 2022, he gave a judgment about arbitration. Arbitration is a way to solve disputes outside court. Vibhu said that courts in the place of arbitration should handle related matters. This ruling made things clearer for lawyers and businesses. In another case in 2020, he ruled on a law about corruption. He said new rules could not apply to old cases. This showed his deep understanding of the law.
Acting Chief Justice
In December 2024, Vibhu got another big role. He became the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. This happened when the earlier Chief Justice, Manmohan, moved to the Supreme Court. Vibhu served in this role until January 2025. He worked hard to lead the court. He made sure cases moved quickly. He also used technology to make work easier. Vibhu believed courts should be fast and fair. He wanted everyone, even poor people, to get justice easily.
Chief Justice
On May 26, 2025, the Supreme Court Collegium made a big decision. They chose Vibhu Bakhru as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. This was a huge honor. The Central Government approved this on July 14, 2025. On July 19, 2025, Vibhu took the oath as Chief Justice. The ceremony happened at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. The Governor, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, gave him the oath. Many important people, like Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, were there. Vibhu felt proud and humble.
As Chief Justice, Vibhu has big plans for Karnataka’s courts. He wants to reduce the number of pending cases. He believes technology can help. For example, he supports using computers to store case files. This makes work faster and saves paper. Vibhu also wants courts to be safe and open for everyone. He says poor people and those from far places should feel welcome in court. He believes in the Constitution of India. He says it is like a guide for all judges.
Vibhu admires Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who wrote India’s Constitution. He often talks about Ambedkar’s ideas. Vibhu says courts must protect people’s rights. He wants judges and lawyers to work together. At a welcome event in Karnataka, he spoke to lawyers. He said, “Let us work as guardians of justice.” He invited them to share ideas to make courts better. His words inspired many young lawyers.
Personal Life
Vibhu is known for his honesty. In Delhi, he shared details of his personal assets with the public. This was not common for judges. By doing this, he showed that he believes in openness. People praised him for this. A lawyer named Sameer Vashisht said Vibhu led by example. His actions made people trust the courts more.
Vibhu’s life is not just about work. He loves to learn new things. He enjoys reading about law and history. He is calm and patient, even in tough times. Lawyers who worked with him call him a “silent assassin.” This means he is quiet but very smart in court. He does not talk loudly, but his words have power. His calm nature helps him solve problems clearly.
When Vibhu left the Delhi High Court, people were sad but proud. At a farewell event, they thanked him for his work. He said the Delhi High Court shaped him as a person and judge. He thanked his team and the lawyers. He said, “There is no work-life balance in law. Work is life.” This showed how much he loves his job. He sees law as a way to help people.
In Karnataka, Vibhu is starting a new chapter. He wants to make the Karnataka High Court one of the best in India. He knows Bengaluru is a big city with many businesses. This means more complex cases. Vibhu’s experience in commercial law will help. Lawyers like Sajan Poovayya say Vibhu is perfect for this role. They believe he will bring change with his knowledge and fairness.
Life Story
Vibhu Bakhru’s story is one of growth. From a young boy in Nagpur to a top judge in Karnataka, he worked hard at every step. He studied, learned, and served with honesty. His life shows that dreams can come true with effort. He is a role model for young people who want to work in law. His journey teaches us to stay humble, work hard, and help others.
Today, as Chief Justice, Vibhu carries a big responsibility. He wants to make courts faster, fairer, and more open. He believes in using technology to solve problems. He also believes in listening to people. His goal is to make sure every person gets justice, no matter who they are. Vibhu Bakhru is not just a judge. He is a leader who wants to make India’s courts stronger.
In simple words, Vibhu Bakhru’s life is like a book full of lessons. He shows us that hard work and honesty can take you far. His story is not just about law. It is about serving people and making a difference. As he leads the Karnataka High Court, we can expect more fairness and progress. Vibhu Bakhru is a name to remember—a man who lives for justice.