New Delhi: Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Arun Kumar Mishra on Wednesday took over as the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He had retired from the Apex Court in September last year.

Justice Mishra enrolled as a lawyer in 1978. He was elected youngest Chairperson of Bar Council of India in 1998-99.

The Chairman post had been vacant following completion of tenure of the preceding incumbent Justice H.L. Dattu.

His tenure at the Top Court was marked by various controversies, prominent being the Judge Loya case and the Prashant Bhushan contempt of court case.

This is the first time in its 27-year history that the Government will have formally appointed to the Chairmanship of NHRC someone other than a former Chief Justice.