Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 8: Chief Justice M M Kumar today administered oath to five new Judges of State High Court in an impressive function held at High Court complex.
This was a historic event for the State’s judiciary in two ways. First, five Judges were appointed simultaneously in the High Court and secondly Ladakh region particularly a Buddhist member of the legal fraternity has got representation in the High Court. With these appointments the strength of the High Court has gone to 12 from seven against sanctioned strength of 14.
The oath ceremony began with Registrar General of the State High Court Suresh Sharma reading out the warrants issued by the President of India regarding the appointment of Justice Ali Mohd Magrey and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur as Permanent Judges of the J&K High Court whereas Justice Tashi Rabstan, Justice Bansi Lal Bhat and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal as Additional Judges of the High Court for two years.
Registrar General also read out the letter issued by Governor N N Vohra authorizing Chief Justice M M Kumar for administering the oath to newly appointed Judges of State High Court.
Justice Virender Singh, Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir, Justice J P Singh, Justice Yaqoob Mir, Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Gh Hasnain Massodi, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohd Sagar, Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigjin Jora, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Higher Education, Mohd Akbar Lone, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah, Chief Secretary Mohd Iqbal Khanday, Advocate General MI Qadiri, members of Kashmir Bar Association including general secretary Mohd Ashraf Bhat and former president N A Ronga, members of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, retired Judges of State High Court, Presiding Officers of the Subordinate Courts and large number of advocates were present in the oath ceremony.
Born on December 8, 1960, Justice Ali Mohd Magrey, son of Haji Mohd Yaqub Magrey remained Standing Counsel of various State Government departments and Corporations. Before his appointment as Judge of the High Court he worked as Senior Additional Advocate General for the Government.
Justice D S Thakur, son of D D Thakur did his early schooling from Presentation Convent School Jammu, Bachelors Degree from GGM Science College and LLB from University of Jammu. He joined practice in the year 1989 at “Thakur & Associates” with Senior Advocate T S Thakur, now Judge of Supreme Court.
He was designated as Senior Advocate on June 29, 2011. He practiced mostly on Civil, Constitution and Taxation side. He also remained Senior Standing Counsel for Income Tax, University Jammu, J&K State Board of School Education besides Reserve Bank of India and host of other institutions.
Justice Tashi Rabstan, son of Tundup Stanzin has over 23 years of qualitative experience as an independent lawyer with proficiency in analyzing complex cases and handling new and unique legal problems. He has experience in researching intent of laws and judicial decisions exposure besides specialization in a number of different areas which includes intellectual property, probate, international or environmental law.
Justice B L Bhat, son of Prem Nath Bhat passed matriculation from Government High School, Hawal when he was below 14 years. Graduated from Amar Singh College, Srinagar in 1972, he obtained law degree from University of Kashmir in 1974 and was enrolled as pleader with Bar Association Srinagar on January 15, 1975. He has served as Principal District and Sessions Judge in both capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar besides at Poonch, Reasi and Kathua.
Justice Janak Raj Kotwal was appointed Munsiff Hiranagar in November 1982, after qualifying Kashmir Civil Service (Judicial) exam. After rendering excellent judicial service for 17 years he was promoted as District & Sessions Judge in August 1999. He remained Principal District & Sessions Judge of all most all the districts of Jammu province besides serving two times as Special Judge Anti-corruption Court Jammu. Because of his outstanding performance his services were placed at the disposal Chief Justice of the J&K High Court and served as Registrar Judicial, Principal Secretary to Chief Justice, Registrar Vigilance & Registrar General High Court.
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