In a recent move to strengthen the judiciary in the region, the Supreme Court Collegium has endorsed the permanent appointments of three additional judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The judges recommended for permanent positions are Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, and Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani.
Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, notable for being the first Muslim judge from the Jammu region at this High Court, has had a distinguished career. His journey to the bench began with a recommendation from the High Court Collegium in 2017, leading to his formal appointment as an additional judge in June 2022. His legal experience spans roles such as Senior Advocate and Senior Additional Advocate General for the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department.
Justice Rajesh Sekhri, who took his oath in July 2024, has a robust background in law that started with his LLB from the Faculty of Law at the University of Jammu in 1989. He has served in various judicial capacities, including Munsiff judge, Sub Judge, and Chief Judicial Magistrate, before his elevation to District and Sessions Judge in 2008.
Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani, who also began his legal career in 1990 and was appointed as a Munsiff judge in 1997, was elevated to Sub Judge in 2000 and later to District & Sessions Judge in 2008. Like his colleagues, he has held significant judicial roles, including as a Judicial Member of the J&K Special Tribunal in Srinagar, prior to his appointment as an additional judge in March 2024.
The recommendations were made during the Supreme Court Collegium’s meeting on March 5, 2025, aiming to address the judicial shortage in the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Despite the appointments, the High Court is still operating under capacity, with 10 posts vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 25. This shortage continues to impact the court’s efficiency and the timely resolution of cases. The permanent appointments of these judges are seen as a critical step towards reducing the judicial backlog and enhancing the administration of justice in the region.
