Over two weeks after the Centre notified him of his transfer, Justice T. Vinod Kumar formally took oath on Thursday as a judge of the Madras High Court.

Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava administered the oath in a ceremony attended by members of the Bar and Bench.

Addressing the gathering, Justice Kumar expressed gratitude for joining what he called a “legendary institution,” noting its enduring contribution to the cause of social justice in India.

“It’s an honour to be part of this institution which has withstood the trials of time and played a vital role in shaping the fabric of social justice,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of synergy between the Bar and the Bench in serving the cause of the underprivileged. On a personal note, Justice Kumar shared his excitement about moving to Chennai and the prospect of living near the sea.

"Having been a plateau dweller so far, I am excited at the idea of taking long walks along the beach — something I’ve never done before,” he said, calling this new chapter of his judicial career "close to his heart."

Tamil Nadu Advocate General PS Raman welcomed Justice Kumar warmly, saying, “I genuinely believe your lordship will feel at home in Tamil Nadu.”

Justice Kumar enrolled as an advocate in 1988 after completing his law degree from Osmania University. A former Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department, he was elevated to the Telangana High Court Bench in August 2019.

His transfer to the Madras High Court was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium on May 26 and approved by the Union government on July 14.

Interestingly, unlike the other 18 judges whose transfers were notified on the same day and who assumed charge at their new postings soon after, Justice Kumar continued to function at the Telangana High Court until this Monday. He was even seen hearing cases till the afternoon.

No formal farewell was held for him at the Telangana High Court, making his quiet departure all the more noticeable.