Kamal Kumar

Kamal Kumar
कमल कुमार (Fiji Hindi)
Chief Justice of Fiji
In office
8 April 2019 – 30 January 2023
Preceded byAnthony Gates
Succeeded bySalesi Temo
Personal details
Died(2023-11-21)21 November 2023
Alma materQueensland University of Technology

Kamal Kumar (died 21 November 2023) was a Fijian jurist who served as Chief Justice of Fiji from 2019 to 2023.

Kumar was educated at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, graduating with a bachelor of law.[1] He worked as a lawyer in Australia, and then in Fiji, before being appointed to the High Court of Fiji civil division in 2013.[1]

From September 2018, he served as the head of the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, and he served as a president of Dakshina India Andhra Sangam Fiji of Lautoka Branch for two consecutive terms until 2012.[2] He was appointed acting chief justice following the retirement of Anthony Gates in April 2019.[3] The position was made permanent and he was formally sworn in as chief justice on 6 August 2021.[1]

On 30 January 2023, Kumar was suspended by President Wiliame Katonivere after allegations of misbehaviour.[4] Salesi Temo was appointed to act in his place.[5] He died on 21 November 2023.[6]

  1. ^ a b c "Kumar sworn in as Fiji's Chief Justice". Fiji Times. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Hon. Acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar". events.development.asia. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  3. ^ "Anthony Gates retires as Fiji's Chief Justice". RNZ. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Justice Kumar suspended; Justice Temo to act as Chief Justice". Fiji Times. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  5. ^ "President suspends Chief Justice Kamal Kumar after complaints of misbehaviour". Fiji Village. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Suspended CJ passes away". FBC News. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.