Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, born on May 28, 1952, in Kolkata, India, is a distinguished jurist who became the first Chairperson of the Lokpal of India, the country’s anti-corruption ombudsman, in March 2019.
Justice Ghose hails from a family with a rich legal heritage; his father, Justice Sambhu Chandra Ghose, served as the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and obtained his LL.B. degree from the University of Calcutta. Enrolled as an advocate on November 30, 1976, he practiced in civil, commercial, constitutional, and company matters at the Calcutta High Court.
Appointed in 1997, he served with distinction, handling a wide array of cases.
In 2012, he was elevated to this position, where he contributed significantly to the judiciary’s functioning.
Appointed in March 2013, he served until his retirement in May 2017, delivering several landmark judgments during his tenure.
After retiring from the Supreme Court, Justice Ghose was appointed as a Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in June 2017, where he served until his appointment as the Lokpal Chairperson.
In March 2019, Justice Ghose was appointed as India’s first Lokpal Chairperson, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to combat corruption. His appointment was widely welcomed, given his vast experience and impeccable integrity.
In May 2024, Justice Ghose conducted an inspection of the damaged piers of the Lakshmi Barrage (Medigadda) in Telangana, demonstrating his continued involvement in public service and infrastructure oversight.
Justice Ghose has been recognized for his contributions to the legal field and public service. He was conferred with the Bhagirath Samman, acknowledging his efforts in upholding justice and integrity.
