Srinagar, Sep 05: The Centre has formally appointed Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati, a judge of the Rajasthan High Court, as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The appointment was notified by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice following the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. The President made the appointment under Article 217(1) of the Constitution, and Justice Bhati will assume office from the date he takes charge.
Justice Bhati will succeed Justice Sanjeev Kumar, who has been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court since June 2, following the elevation of then Chief Justice Arun Palli to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, had recommended Justice Bhati’s appointment on August 31. He is currently serving as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court and was elevated to the bench on November 16, 2016, after practising as a lawyer for nearly 25 years. During his legal career, he also served as Additional Advocate General for the state and was elected president of the High Court Lawyers Association at different points.
Justice Bhati’s appointment comes as the J&K and Ladakh High Court enters a vital phase, with the Union Territory of Ladakh’s regulation enabling the High Court to hold a bench in Ladakh also coming into force on September 5. The regulation, promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu on August 27, provides for the High Court to sit in Ladakh.
