Sri Srinivasan sworn in as judge of top US court

Sri Srinivasan was on Friday sworn in as judge of the second most powerful 
court of the United States, making him the first Indian American to be on
 the bench of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit. 
File photo

The Hindu :PTI :WASHINGTON, September 27, 2013

Sri Srinivasan was on Friday sworn in as judge of the second most powerful court of the United States, making him the first Indian American to be on the bench of the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Chandigarh-born Mr. Srinivasan, 46, whose parents migrated to the United States in 1970s, was sworn in the oath of office in an overflowing court room of US Courts of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, in presence of legal luminaries, friends and families.

Gursharan Kaur, the wife of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, was present on the occasion when Mr. Srinivasan took the oath of office on the Gita with his mother Saroja Srinivasan holding the holy book for him.

Ms. Gursharan Kaur, literally drive off directly from the airport, with a brief stopover at the hotel, to be in time for the swearing in ceremony of the Indian American.

It was in May this year that Mr. Srinivasan was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a huge 97-0 vote.

He is the first South Asian American to serve as a circuit court judge in American history.

The retired Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor who administered the oath of office called Mr. Srinivasan “fair, faultless and fabulous.”

He once clerked for her.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Srinivasan acknowledged the contribution of his parents and family on his achievements.

Mr. Srinivasan was first nominated by Mr. Obama on June 11, 2012.

On January 2, his nomination was returned to the President, due to the sine die adjournment of the Senate.

On January 3, 2013, Mr. Obama re-nominated him for the same office.

His appointment is a testimony to his credibility and calibre as a brilliant legal luminary of the U.S.

Mr. Srinivasan was previously the Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States.

He is a highly-respected appellate advocate who has spent a distinguished career litigating before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals, both on behalf of the United States and in private practice.