Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati was officially sworn in as the 39th Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday. The formal ceremony took place at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Srinagar, marking a significant transition in the region’s judicial leadership. The oath of office was administered by Vinai Kumar Saxena, who holds the position of Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory of Ladakh and also serves with additional charge for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This event drew a considerable gathering of legal luminaries and dignitaries from across the country.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the ceremony was attended by a large number of sitting and former Chief Justices and Judges from various High Courts nationwide. Notably, there was a strong representation from the Rajasthan High Court, where Justice Bhati previously served, as well as from the High Courts of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Allahabad. The presence of Justice Nupur Bhati, a Judge of the Rajasthan High Court and the Chief Justice’s spouse, along with his parents, close relatives, and other family members, lent a personal and significant dimension to the occasion. A substantial contingent of senior advocates, government advocates, and other members of the Bar from Rajasthan also participated, alongside staff members and other distinguished guests, underscoring the respect and recognition Justice Bhati commands within the legal fraternity.
The appointment of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh was formally announced through a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice on September 5. Born on September 21, 1970, Justice Bhati embarked on his legal career after enrolling as an advocate in 1992. His practice was primarily centered at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur, where he cultivated extensive expertise across a broad spectrum of legal domains. These areas included constitutional and writ jurisdiction, service matters, public interest litigation, election law, revenue, mining, education, Panchayati Raj, family law, and criminal law. His comprehensive understanding and experience in these diverse fields are expected to be invaluable in his new role.
Prior to his elevation to the bench as a Judge of the Rajasthan High Court on November 16, 2016, Justice Bhati held significant positions within the state’s legal apparatus. He served as the Additional Advocate General for the State of Rajasthan on two separate occasions: from October 13, 2008, to December 29, 2008, and again from January 6, 2014. His distinguished tenure at the Bar was further highlighted by his election as a Member of the Bar Council of Rajasthan for the term 2009–15. He also demonstrated leadership within the legal community by serving as the president of the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers’ Association from 2011 to 2013 and as the general secretary of the Rajasthan High Court Advocates’ Association in 2001. These roles reflect a deep engagement with the administrative and representative aspects of the legal profession.
Justice Bhati’s academic qualifications are equally impressive, holding a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Mercantile Law. He further holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). His commitment to legal education extended beyond his practice, as he served as visiting faculty at the Faculty of Law at Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur, for an extensive period of 19 years, from 1997 to 2016. Additionally, he contributed his expertise as visiting faculty at the National Law University, Jodhpur, for one year. He is also an active participant in legal scholarship, serving as a member of the executive committee of the Rajasthan Chapter of the Indian Law Institute. This rich academic background and dedication to legal scholarship are anticipated to inform his judicial approach and contribute to the jurisprudence of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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