Former Delhi High Court Judge Sudhir Kumar Jain Appointed DRAT Delhi Chairperson by Centre

The Central Government has appointed Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain as the Chairperson of the Debts Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT), Delhi. The appointment was notified through a letter issued by the Department of Financial Services under the Finance Ministry on April 1, 2026.

Justice Jain will hold the position for a term of five years or until he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. He has been asked to assume charge either immediately or within 30 days from the date of the appointment letter.

At present, Justice Jain is serving as a Member of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). His transition to the DRAT is expected to strengthen the appellate mechanism dealing with financial recovery disputes and banking matters.

Born on November 10, 1962, Justice Jain has a strong academic background. He completed his LL.B, LL.M, and Ph.D from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. His early career included practice before the Delhi District Courts and the Delhi High Court.

Before joining the judicial service, he also worked as a lecturer at the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. His academic exposure played a significant role in shaping his judicial approach and training contributions.

Justice Jain joined the Delhi Judicial Service in 1992 and was elevated to the Delhi Higher Judicial Service in 2003. Over the years, he handled a wide range of matters, including civil, criminal, rent, and cases involving the Central Bureau of Investigation.

He served as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Shahdara and the North-East districts of Delhi. Later, he held the position of Principal District and Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (PC Act) at Rouse Avenue Courts, dealing with corruption-related matters.

In addition to his judicial responsibilities, Justice Jain made notable contributions to judicial education. He held several positions at the Delhi Judicial Academy, including Joint Director, Additional Director, and Director.

He was also a member of the Academic Council of the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. His involvement in judicial training programmes across India reflects his commitment to strengthening the justice delivery system.

A trained and accredited mediator, Justice Jain has handled nearly 12,000 mediation cases. He has also conducted over 100 training programmes on mediation and has spoken at various national and international conferences on the subject.

Justice Jain was elevated as a Judge of the Delhi High Court on February 28, 2022. He served on the bench until his retirement on November 9, 2024, marking a significant phase in his judicial career.

His appointment as DRAT Chairperson comes at a time when efficient resolution of financial disputes remains crucial. His experience across judicial, academic, and mediation fields is expected to contribute meaningfully to the tribunal’s functioning.