Justice Sanjeev Kumar Appointed Acting Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court Following Justice Tashi Rabastan’s Retirement
New Delhi, April 9: In a significant development concerning the judiciary of the Union Territories, the Ministry of Law and Justice has officially appointed Justice Sanjeev Kumar as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. His appointment will take effect from April 10, 2025, under the provisions of Article 223 of the Constitution of India, which allows for the appointment of an acting Chief Justice when the office falls vacant. This appointment comes in the wake of Chief Justice Tashi Rabastan’s retirement on April 9.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, who has been serving as a judge in the J&K and Ladakh High Court, has been entrusted with the responsibilities of the Chief Justice’s office until a permanent appointment is confirmed. The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on April 4, has already recommended Justice Arun Palli of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for elevation as the Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court. However, his appointment is pending formal approval by the Union government.
Born on April 8, 1966, in the village of Prehta Nagrota, Tehsil Basohli in District Kathua, Justice Sanjeev Kumar has had a distinguished academic and professional journey. He began his education in a local government school and completed his matriculation from Government Higher Secondary School Basohli, securing the 10th position in the 1981 matriculation examination conducted by the J&K Board of School Education.
He went on to complete his B.Sc. from Government Degree College, Kathua, in 1985, graduating in first division. He earned his law degree (LLB) from the University of Jammu in 1988, again passing with first division, and was enrolled as an advocate by the J&K Bar Council in February 1989.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar began his legal career representing the government, having served twice as Government Advocate for the Srinagar Wing of the High Court from 1992–1993 and 1994–1995. In 1995, he was appointed Government Advocate for the Jammu Wing, a role he held until 1998. He represented nearly all government departments and Public Sector Undertakings during this period and served as a counsel on the panel of the Advocate General for more than two years.
He has been particularly active in representing departments such as Forest, Finance, Commercial Taxes, and Excise and also served as the standing counsel for the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for almost six years between 2006 and 2012.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar is a seasoned legal professional with more than 200 reported judgments to his name. He has appeared in several high-profile and constitutionally significant cases, including the Toshakhana case, the matter concerning the dissolution of the J&K Assembly, and most recently, the issue related to reservation in promotions.
He was elevated as a Permanent Judge of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court on June 6, 2017, and is widely respected in legal circles for his integrity, knowledge, and commitment to justice.
