Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju is new Press Council chairman

NEW DELHI: Justice Markandey Katju, retired judge of the Supreme Court, has been appointed chairman of the Press Council of India.

Katju succeeds Justice G N Ray, whose term has come to an end.

The appointment has been made under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Press Council Act, 1978.

Justice Markandey Katju was born on 20 September 1946. He is son of the late Justice S.N. Katju who was a former judge of the Allahabad High Court, and grandson of Dr. Kailash Nath Katju one of India?s leading lawyers who participated in the country?s freedom movement. Dr. K N Katju later became the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, the Governor of West Bengal and Orissa, as well as the Union Law, Home and Defence Minister at various times.

After practicising law in the Allahabad High Court, Justice Markandey Katju was appointed Judge of the Allahabad High Court in 1991. He became its acting chief justice in August 2004, and was the chief justice of Madras High Court in November 2004. He became the chief justice of Delhi High Court in October 2005. He was appointed Judge of the Supreme Court of India in April 2006 and retired on 19 September this year.

Justice Markandey Katju has written several books which include publications such as ?Law in the Scientific Era?, ?Interpretation of Taxing Statutes?, ?Mimansa Rules of Interpretation? and ?Domestic Enquiry?.