SC Collegium Recommends Nine Advocates for J&K and Ladakh High Court

The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, has recommended nine advocates for appointment as judges of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, taking forward efforts to fill vacancies in the institution. The recommendations, approved at a Collegium meeting on October 29, 2026, include Tabasum Zafar, whose proposed elevation could mark a milestone in women's representation in the higher judiciary.

The nine advocates recommended are Vishal Sharma, Vikram Kumar Sharma, Namgyal Wangchuk, Pawan Kumar Kundal, Tahir Majid Shamsi, Tabasum Zafar, Amit Gupta, Pranav Kohli and Anupam Raina. The Collegium comprises the CJI and Justices Vikram Nath and BV Nagarathna.

Among the recommendations, Tabasum Zafar's inclusion is particularly significant. If appointed, she would become the first Kashmiri woman advocate to serve as a judge of the High Court. Another notable candidate is Namgyal Wangchuk, who hails from Ladakh and has over 25 years of legal experience. His professional background includes civil and criminal law, corporate matters and tribunal proceedings. He also served as a Munsiff and Judicial Magistrate First Class between 2001 and 2003.

The list includes advocates with government litigation experience. Vishal Sharma has served as Assistant Solicitor General of India at the Jammu wing of the High Court, while Tahir Majid Shamsi served as Deputy Solicitor General of India at the Srinagar wing. Amit Gupta previously held the position of Additional Advocate General.

The recommendations follow an April 2026 selection exercise by the High Court Collegium, headed by then Chief Justice Arun Palli, which proposed 11 candidates, including 10 advocates and one judicial officer. The latest list includes nine advocates. Senior advocate Jahangir Iqbal Ganai, a former Jammu and Kashmir Advocate General (2016–2018), was not included. No official reason has been disclosed. Judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney, recommended separately, received Collegium approval on September 10 and his appointment was notified on September 19.

The High Court's sanctioned strength was increased from 17 to 25 judges in November 2024, comprising 19 permanent and six additional judges. Following Bourney's appointment, the court reportedly has 14 working judges, leaving 11 vacancies.

The recommendations will now proceed through the remaining constitutional appointment process under Article 217. The advocates will formally become judges only after presidential appointment and completion of the prescribed oath-taking process.