Thiruvananthapuram: Justice S Mani Kumar was on Friday sworn in as the 36th Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.

He was administered the oath of office by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan at the official residence of the latter.

He succeeds Justice Hrishikesh Roy, who was elevated to the Supreme Court.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Governor Justice (retd) P Sathasivam, several judges of the Kerala High Court and two judges of the Madras High Court were present on the occasion.

Mani Kumar's father Swami Durai, a retired judge of the Madras High Court, was also present.

Mani Kumar, 58, was a senior judge of the Madras High Court, before being appointed as Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.