Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel assumed charge as chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday.
Justice Goel, who retired as a Supreme Court judge on July 6, has been appointed for five years. He is the third chairperson in the NGT since it came into existence in 2010.
The first chairperson was Justice lokeshwar Singh Panta, who relinquished his post after being appointed lokayukta of Himachal Pradesh in 2011, and the second was Justice Swatanter Kumar, who retired in December last year after completing a five-year tenure.
Justice Goel was appointed a SC judge in July 2014.
The post of NGT chairperson was lying vacant for more than six months since Justice Swatanter Kumar’s retirement on December 20.
After Justice Kumar’s retirement, Justice Umesh Dattatraya Salvi was made acting chairperson. He retired on February 13.
After him, Justice Jawad Rahim was appointed acting chairperson.
At present, there is only one functional court at the principal bench in the national Capital. It comprises Justice Rahim and Justices R S Rathore and SS Garbyal.