Justice Sanjeev Kumar Takes Charge as Acting Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court

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Justice Sanjeev Kumar Takes Charge as Acting Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court

Synopsis

On April 9, 2025, Justice Sanjeev Kumar was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court after the retirement of Justice Tashi Rabastan. This appointment follows a notification from the Central Government under Article 223 of the Constitution.

Key Takeaways

  • Justice Sanjeev Kumar appointed Acting Chief Justice.
  • Appointment follows retirement of Justice Tashi Rabastan.
  • Notification issued under Article 223 of the Constitution.
  • Supreme Court Collegium recommends Justice Arun Palli.
  • Union government yet to act on new Chief Justice appointment.

New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) The Central Government announced on Wednesday that Justice Sanjeev Kumar has been appointed as Acting Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court following the retirement of Chief Justice Tashi Rabastan on April 9.

"In accordance with Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, to undertake the responsibilities of Chief Justice of that High Court effective from 10.04.2025, subsequent to the retirement of Shri Justice Tashi Rabastan, Chief Justice, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on 09.04.2025," stated a notification released by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

Article 223 grants the President the authority to designate any puisne judge as acting Chief Justice when "the office of Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant or if any such Chief Justice is, due to absence or other reasons, unable to discharge the responsibilities of his office".

Recently, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, recommended to the Central Government that Justice Arun Palli, the senior-most judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, be appointed as Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.

"The Supreme Court Collegium convened on 4th April, 2025, and has proposed the appointment of Mr Justice Arun Palli, Judge, High Court of Punjab and Haryana, as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh," said a statement posted on the apex court's website.

The Union government has yet to respond to the recommendation put forth by the apex court Collegium regarding the Chief Justice position for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Chief Justice Rabstan retires on Wednesday upon reaching the age of 62.