Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, a distinguished Judge of the High Court of Delhi since January 8, 2025, has had a diverse and impactful career spanning various legal domains. His expertise and contributions to seminal matters have marked him as a notable figure in the Indian legal landscape.
Born on February 18, 1974, Justice Shankar completed his schooling from Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, Delhi, and Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Kodaikanal. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College of Arts & Science, Bangalore, with a B.A. in Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. In 1998, he completed his LL.B from Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.
Justice Shankar was associated with the chambers of eminent legal figures such as Mr. K. K. Venugopal, Mr. P.H. Parekh, and Mr. Soli J. Sorabjee. He briefly worked at Udwadia, Udeshi & Berjis in Bombay before earning his LL.M. in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick. He also had a stint with the Delhi office of Mulla & Mulla, Craigie, Blunt & Caroe.
Before his elevation to the Bench, he worked extensively in IPR, Service, Arbitration, Company, and Criminal Laws. He appeared in various High Courts and Tribunals across India and served as Panel A counsel in the Supreme Court of India, Central Government Standing Counsel in the Delhi High Court, Senior Panel Counsel in the Armed Forces Tribunal (PB), Special Counsel for Telangana in Krishna Water Dispute, and Special Public Prosecutor (For SIT) in the Godhra Riots Matter.
He has been involved in significant cases, including the Ram Janmabhoomi matter, the challenge to the Finance Act, 2017, Karnataka Mining ban cases, and disqualification of MLAs cases in Madras High Court.
Certified as a mediator by the IICA & the BIMACC, he was a member of the DHCLSC Mediation Panel. He was awarded the silk by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court on November 29, 2024.
Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar was appointed as Judge of the High Court of Delhi from January 8, 2025, marking the culmination of his extensive and varied legal career.
