The Union Ministry of Law and Justice has decided to raise the sanctioned strength of judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh from 17 to 25.

19 of the 25 would be permanent judges and 6 would be additional judges.

The decision was taken after consultation with Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

In a letter to Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Justice Tashi Rabstan, the Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the decision to review the strength of the High Court was taken pursuant to a request made to that effect in January 2022 by the then Chief Justice of the High Court.

"The Judge strength of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has been reviewed and in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, it has been decided to increase the Judge strength of the High Court from 17 to 25 Judges, with 19 permanent judges and 6 additional judges," the communication dated November 5 said.

The Minister has now requested Chief Justice Rabstan to expedite proposal for filling these newly sanctioned judges posts and has also urged the High Court to consider candidates from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities and Women.

As per the details available, the enhanced strength of the High Court will be divided in the ratio of 66% and 33% between bar (lawyers) and service (district judiciary). Therefore, the share of members of bar and service would be 17 and 8 respectively.

Presently, the High Court has strength of 17 judges including 13 permanent judges and 4 additional judges.

Sources told Bar & Bench that the need for increasing the strength was felt in view of the increasing work load and rising pendency of cases.

Sources also expressed concern over the existing infrastructure for judges in Jammu and Kashmir. Presently, there are only 7 rooms in Jammu Wing and 8 rooms in Srinagar Wing of the High Court, which are being used by the judges.

With the appointment of eight more judges, the infrastructure would require upgradation both at Jammu and Srinagar.

[Read Letter]