The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Collegium has recommended 11 individuals for appointment as judges of the High Court, including 10 advocates and one judicial officer.

The list features several senior members of the Bar, including an Assistant Solicitor General, a Deputy Solicitor General, and a former Additional Advocate General. It also includes Tabasum Zafar, who, if appointed, would become the first Kashmiri woman to be elevated to the High Court Bench.

The advocates recommended are

• Vishal Sharma (Assistant Solicitor General),
• Namgyal Wangchuk,
• Jahangir Iqbal Ganai,
• Pawan Kumar Kundal,
• Tahir Majid Shamsi (Deputy Solicitor General),
• Tabasum Zafar,
• Anupam Raina,
• Vikram Kumar Sharma,
• Amit Gupta (former Additional Advocate General), and
• Pranav Kohli.

In addition, judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney has been recommended for elevation.

The recommendations follow a detailed consultative process, with the Collegium assessing candidates on the basis of merit, integrity, competence, and standing at the Bar, while also factoring in regional and social representation.

Sources indicate that the Collegium placed particular emphasis on ensuring representation from the Kashmir Bar and inclusion from the Union Territory of Ladakh, including members of the Buddhist community. The list is also said to reflect diversity across communities such as Kashmiri Pandits, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes.

The recommendations come in the backdrop of an increase in the sanctioned strength of the High Court. In November 2024, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, enhanced the court’s strength from 17 to 25 judges, comprising 19 permanent and 6 additional judges.

At present, the High Court is functioning with 13 judges against a sanctioned strength of 25, leaving 12 vacancies.