Srinagar, November 14: In a significant reshuffle in the judiciary, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday ordered the transfer and posting of several judicial officers across the two union territories.
The order, issued by Registrar General (Officiating) M.K. Sharma, involves officers at all levels, from District Judges to newly promoted Civil Judges, and is aimed at streamlining judicial administration.
Key Appointments at the Top
The reshuffle sees several key appointments in high-level positions. Shri Mohinder Kumar Sharma, formerly the Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Justice, has been appointed as the new Registrar General of the High Court. He will also continue to hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary.
In a major posting, Shri Yash Paul Bourney, the outgoing Principal District and Sessions Judge of Jammu, has been transferred to the J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu on a deputation basis. He is succeeded by Shri Ravinder Nath Wattal, who moves from Samba to take over the Jammu post.
Shri Haq Nawaz Zargar, previously the Special Judge Anti Corruption in Jammu, has been posted as the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, replacing Shri Tasleem Arief, who has now been appointed as the Special Judge Anti Corruption, Srinagar.
Ms. Sonia Gupta has been moved from her position as Director of the J&K Judicial Academy to become the Special Judge, Anti Corruption, Jammu. She is succeeded by Shri Naseer Ahmed Dar, whose services have been placed at the disposal of the Hon’ble Chief Justice for the posting.
Promotions and New Postings for Entry-Level District Judges
A significant part of the order pertains to the posting of Civil Judges (Senior Division) who have been newly appointed as District Judges (Entry Level) on an ad-hoc basis. The following officers have received their new postings:
· Shri Mir Wajahat – Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bandipora
· Ms. Fozia Paul – Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ganderbal
· Ms. Mehreen Mushtaq – Additional Sessions Judge Anti Corruption, Srinagar
· Shri Feroz Ahmad Khan – Special Judge UAPA, Baramulla
· Shri Imran Hussain Wani – Special Judge NDPS, Anantnag
· Ms. Preet Simran Kour – 4th Additional District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar
· Shri Fayaz Ahmed Qureshi – Presiding Officer, MACT, Srinagar (on deputation)
· Shri Umesh Sharma – Registrar Computers (I.T.), High Court (services placed at Chief Justice’s disposal)
· Shri Sheikh Gowher Hussain – Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kargil
· Shri Aadil Mushtaq – Additional District and Sessions Judge, Baramulla
Other Notable Transfers Among District Judges
Other notable transfers include:
· Ms. Jeema Bashir repatriated from deputation and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge, Bandipora.
· Ms. Kalpana Revo repatriated and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge, Udhampur, effective January 1, 2026.
· Shri Ashwani Kumar Sharma moved from Poonch to Samba.
· Shri Manoj Parihar, Principal District and Sessions Judge of Leh, posted as Presiding Officer, Labour and Industrial Tribunal.
· Ms. Spalzes Angmo transferred from Kargil to replace Shri Parihar as Principal District and Sessions Judge of Leh.
Widespread Reshuffle of Civil Judges (Senior Division)
A large number of Chief Judicial Magistrates and other senior civil judges have also been reassigned. Key among them are:
· Ms. Tabassum – from CJM Ganderbal to CJM Srinagar.
· Shri Munish Kumar Manhas – from CJM Kishtwar to CJM Jammu.
· Shri Sajad Ur Rehman – from Secretary DLSA Srinagar to CJM Anantnag.
· Ms. Nusrat Ali Hakak – from Secretary DLSA Budgam to CJM Ganderbal.
· Ms. Smriti Sharma – from Secretary DLSA Jammu to CJM Samba.
· Shri Sunil Kumar – Sub Judge Jammu, services placed at Chief Justice’s disposal for posting as Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee.
Several Civil Judges (Junior Division) who were recently promoted on an ad-hoc basis have been given their first postings as Senior Division judges. They include:
· Ms. Maleeka Sharma – Secretary DLSA, Jammu
· Ms. Ananta Raina – Special Mobile Magistrate, Rajouri
· Shri Shabir Ahmad Malik – Special Mobile Magistrate (T), Srinagar
· Shri Altaf Ahmad Mir – Sub Judge, Valloo
· Ms. Meera Bangotra – Secretary DLSA, Kishtwar
· Ms. Asma Chowdhary – Secretary DLSA, Samba
· Ms. Urvashi Raina – Secretary DLSA, Kathua
· Shri Anjeet Singh – Sub Judge (Electricity Magistrate), Pattan
· Ms. Suhashni Vasisatha – Sub Judge, Nowshera
· Shri Tarun Mahajan – City Judge, Srinagar
Administrative Directives
The order mandates that all officers being transferred must complete their pending judgments and part-heard cases before moving to their new posts. They are also required to hand over charge to another available judicial officer.
The officers sent on deputation have been directed to report to the Registrar Judicial of the High Court until their formal deputation orders are received from the government.
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