Amul Thapar became Thursday only the second Indian-American judge of an appeals court with the United States senate confirming his appointment to the Cincinnati-based Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Thapar was confirmed by a 52-44 vote.
Shri Srnivasan, who was appointed to the DC circuit court of appeals by President Barak Obama and confirmed in 2013, is the first Indian American ever to be named as judge to the American counterpart of India’s high courts.
Thapar was also on Trump’s list of candidates for a vacancy on the Supreme Court, for which he eventually picked Neil Gorsuch, who has sicne een confirmed. Thapar is Presidentto be confirmed.
Thapar, 47, was born in Detroit to immigrants from India, Raj Thapar and Veena Bhalla. He went to college in Boston, and studied law at University of California, Berkeley.
“I congratulate Judge Thapar who is a proven asset to the federal judiciary, the people of the commonwealth of Kentucky whom he’s served for almost a decade, and the South Asian legal community,” said Vichal Kumar, president of the South Asian Bar Association in a statement.
“Judge Thapar’s confirmation further cements his legacy as a pioneer, esteemed jurist and dedicated public servant. We anticipate that Judge Thapar’s renowned dedication to his craft and commendable judicial temperament will serve him well in this integral position.”
Thapar was appointed to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2008 by former President George W. Bush. He had earlier served as US attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and assistant US Attorney in the Southern District of Ohio and Washington DC.
