Shillong, Nov 13 (IANS): Justice Mohammed Rafiq was sworn-in as the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday.

Governor Tathagata Roy administered the oath of office to Rafiq at Raj Bhavan.

Prior to this appointment, Rafiq was the senior judge of Rajasthan High Court. He succeeded Ajay Kumar Mittal who is now the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his council of ministers, Meghalaya High Court judge Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew, Chief Secretary P.S. Thangkhiew and a host of government officials were among those who attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Born in Churu, Rajsathan, Rafiq started his law practice in 1984. He practiced exclusively in the Rajasthan High Court in almost all branches of law. He served as an advocate from 1999 to 2006.

He has been recognized as an expert on the Indian Constitution, service, land acquisition, tax, and company law cases.

In 2008, he was appointed Justice at the Rajasthan High Court. Rafiq also served as acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court twice.