In a first, Kashmiri woman lawyer among 11 recommended by Collegium for elevation to J&K HC

The Collegium of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has recommended 11 persons for appointment as judges of the High Court.

The list comprises 10 lawyers and 1 judicial officer.

The lawyers recommended included an Assistant Solicitor General, a Deputy Solicitor General and a former Additional Advocate General.

This list also includes a woman lawyer, Tabasum Zafar. If approved, it would mark the first instance of a Kashmiri woman being elevated to the High Court Bench.

The 10 lawyers recommended are:

- Vishal Sharma (Assistant Solicitor General);
- Namgyal Wangchuk;
- Jahangir Iqbal Ganai;
- Pawan Kumar Kundal;
- Tahir Majid Shamsi (Deputy Solicitor General);
- Tabasum Zafar;
- Anupam Raina;
- Vikram Kumar Sharma;
- Amit Gupta (former Additional Advocate General);
- Pranav Kohli.

The judicial officer recommended for elevation is:

- Yash Paul Bourney.

The selection process involved an extensive consultative exercise, with merit, integrity, competence, and standing at the Bar as the primary considerations. The Collegium is also understood to have taken into account regional and social representation.

Sources told Bar and Bench that the Collegium placed emphasis on representation from the Kashmir Bar as well as inclusion from the Union Territory of Ladakh including representation from the Buddhist community.

The recommendations also reflect consideration of representation from Kashmiri Pandit, Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste communities.

In November 2024, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, had enhanced the sanctioned strength of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from 17 to 25 Judges. The revised strength comprises 19 permanent Judges and 6 additional Judges.

The High Court is presently functioning with 13 judges against its sanctioned strength of 25, leaving 12 posts vacant.