Justice Sabina, the senior-most judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court, was appointed its acting Chief Justice on Friday.

In a notification, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice said she would assume charge on January 21 following the retirement of Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed, the incumbent Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh high court.

"In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint, Smt Justice Sabina, senior-most judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court, to perform the duties of the office of the Chief Justice of that high court, with effect from January 21 consequent upon the retirement of Shri Justice Amjad Ahtesham Sayed, Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh high court," the notification read.

Justice Sayed demits office on Friday on attaining the age of 62 years. While Supreme Court judges retire at 65, high court judges retire at the age of 62 years.

This appointment marks Justice Sabina's second term as an acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh high court. Earlier, she was nominated as the acting Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh high court on the retirement of the then Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq in May 2022.