JAMMU, Mar 6: In a significant development, the Supreme Court Collegium has given its approval for the appointment of three Additional Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as Permanent Judges. The decision, taken in a meeting held on March 5, 2025, paves the way for Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, and Justice Mohammad Yousaf Wani to assume permanent positions in the esteemed judiciary of the region.
According to an official statement from the Apex Court, the Collegium’s approval marks a crucial step in strengthening the judicial framework of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. The proposal will now be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice for its approval, following which it will be sent to the President of India for final confirmation and issuance of the formal warrant of appointment.
At present, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has a sanctioned strength of 25 judges, but it is functioning with only 15—comprising 12 Permanent and three Additional Judges. The latest approval by the Supreme Court Collegium will bring the number of Permanent Judges to 15, reducing the existing judicial vacancy and enhancing the efficiency of the court.
Justice Nargal, an accomplished legal luminary, began his education at Dewan Badri Nath Vidya Mandir, Jammu, before pursuing higher studies at GGM Science College and earning his LLB from the University of Jammu. Embarking on his legal career in March 1991, he gained extensive experience, serving as a Senior Additional Advocate General for the J&K Home Department and as Standing Counsel for several government departments, PSUs, banks, and universities. He was designated as a Senior Advocate by the J&K High Court in December 2020, a recognition of his expertise and contributions to the legal field. His elevation as an Additional Judge came through a notification issued on June 1, 2022, and he took oath on June 3, 2022.
Justice Sekhri completed his early education at Sanatan Dharam Sabha Higher Secondary School, Rehari, before graduating from Government Gandhi Memorial Science College, Jammu, and obtaining his LLB from the University of Jammu in 1989. He joined the judiciary in 1995 after clearing the Kashmir Civil Services (Judicial) examination and served in various capacities, including Munsiff, Sub-Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate, and District & Sessions Judge in multiple districts. His judicial career saw him presiding over critical roles, such as Special Judge for TADA/POTA cases in Srinagar, Additional District & Sessions Judge in Anantnag and Jammu, and Principal District & Sessions Judge in Reasi, Ramban, and Baramulla. He also held the position of Special Judge for Anti-Corruption (CBI Cases) in Jammu before being elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court on July 29, 2022.
Hailing from Anantnag, Justice Wani completed his schooling at Government High School Brinty and pursued his Science degree at Government Degree College, Anantnag, before obtaining his LLB (Hons) from Kashmir University in 1989. After enrolling with the Bar Council of J&K in 1990, he actively practiced law in Anantnag before qualifying for the Kashmir Civil Services (Judicial) Examination. He was appointed as Munsiff in December 1997 and subsequently rose through the ranks, becoming a Sub-Judge in 2000 and a District & Sessions Judge in 2008. His elevation as an Additional Judge of the High Court was confirmed on March 21, 2024, and he took charge on March 25, 2024.
The elevation of Justices Nargal, Sekhri, and Wani to Permanent Judges is expected to contribute significantly to the functioning of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Their extensive experience in both litigation and judicial administration will aid in expediting pending cases and ensuring efficient dispensation of justice in the region.
The final nod from the President of India is awaited, following which the judges will formally assume their permanent positions, further bolstering the judicial infrastructure of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.