In a key decision aimed at strengthening the judiciary, the Supreme Court Collegium has recommended that three additional judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh be appointed as permanent judges.
The judges approved for elevation are Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, and Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani. The decision was finalized in a Collegium meeting on March 5, 2025.
Justice Nargal holds a historic distinction as the first Muslim judge from the Jammu region to serve in the High Court. Initially recommended for judgeship in 2017, his appointment as an additional judge was officially notified in 2022. Before joining the Bench, he had an extensive legal career, including serving as a Senior Additional Advocate General for the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department and representing various government bodies.
Justice Sekhri’s judicial journey began in 1995 when he entered service as a Munsiff judge. Rising through the ranks, he served as a Chief Judicial Magistrate and later as a District and Sessions Judge. He took oath as an additional judge in July 2024, after a tenure that included serving as a judicial member of the J&K Special Tribunal.
Justice Wani started his legal practice in 1990 and entered judicial service in 1997 as a Munsiff. Over the years, he held multiple judicial positions, including Sub Judge and District & Sessions Judge. His appointment as an additional judge was confirmed in March 2024.
Despite these appointments, the High Court continues to operate below its sanctioned strength of 25 judges, with 10 vacancies still unfilled. The shortage has led to delays in case resolutions and increased pressure on the existing judiciary. The latest Collegium decision is expected to help address some of these challenges, but the need for further appointments remains pressing.
