Chief Justice Hails Rich Legal Legacy of J&K, Calls for Stronger Bar-Bench Cooperation and Greater Use of Technology
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 5 :
The Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association Srinagar Kashmir (Regd.) on Monday organised a felicitation programme in honour of Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhatti, at the Common Bar Room of the Srinagar Wing of the High Court.
The programme was attended by several Hon’ble Judges of the High Court, including Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani, Justice Sanjay Parihar and Justice Yashpal Bourney, besides Mir Syed Lateef, Judicial Member/HoD, Central Administrative Tribunal, Srinagar.
The newly elevated High Court Judge, Justice Yashpal Bourney, was also felicitated during the programme.
President of the J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar, Waseem Gul, delivered the welcome address, while the proceedings were conducted by Advocate Bikram Deep Singh.
A large number of advocates participated in the function, including senior lawyers Zaffar Ahmad Shah, G.A. Lone, R.A. Jan, Mohsin Ul Showkat Qadri, Syed Faisal Qadri, Tahir Majid Shamsi, Anupam Raina, Jehangir Ganie, Syed Manzoor, Anil Bhan, Bashir Ahmad Bashir, Showkat Makroo, Abdul Majid Dar, Arifa Jan and Masooda Jan, besides several other advocates, law officers and members of the legal fraternity.
Chief Justice Lauds Strength of J&K Bar
Responding to the felicitation, Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhatti expressed his appreciation for the warmth extended by the Bar and said that his long association with the legal profession continued to keep him deeply connected with the fraternity.
Recalling his 24–25 years as a lawyer, the Chief Justice said that his “heart continues to beat for the legal fraternity” and paid rich tributes to senior members of the Bar for their experience, commitment and contribution to the justice delivery system.
He said that he now recognises nearly 90 per cent of the faces present in the Bar, describing the familiarity as a reflection of his growing association with the legal fraternity of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Chief Justice described serving the people of the Union Territories as a matter of professional satisfaction and sought the fullest cooperation of the Bar in safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring justice within the framework of law.
Rich Legal Tradition of J&K High Court Highlighted
Dr. Bhatti praised the nearly 100-year-old legal tradition of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, observing that the High Court has earned a distinguished reputation across the country.
He noted that several judgments delivered by the High Court during the 1960s and 1970s continue to be regarded as benchmarks of judicial excellence.
The Chief Justice also appreciated the thorough preparation and commitment demonstrated by lawyers, including senior advocates, young practitioners and women lawyers, towards protecting the interests of their clients.
He acknowledged the important assistance extended by members of the Bar in helping him understand and familiarise himself with local laws, saying that the support had made his transition into the institution considerably easier.
“Strong Bar Essential for Good Judgments”
Emphasising the importance of a healthy Bar-Bench relationship, the Chief Justice said that good judgments flow from a strong and well-prepared Bar.
He expressed confidence that continued cooperation between the Bench and the Bar would contribute to research-driven, accurate and welfare-oriented judgments, ultimately benefiting the common citizen.
Chief Justice Calls for Greater Representation of Women Lawyers
Dr. Bhatti made special mention of the growing contribution of women lawyers and encouraged greater representation of lady advocates in the executive bodies of the Bar.
He observed that nearly 50 per cent of recent recruitments in the High Court have been women, and said their increased participation in leadership positions would further strengthen the institution.
Technology Must Become an Essential Legal Skill
Highlighting the rapidly changing nature of the legal profession, the Chief Justice stressed the importance of technology in the modern justice delivery system.
He cautioned that lawyers and judges below the age of 50 who fail to acquire adequate technological skills could risk falling behind.
He urged young advocates to master technology and use it effectively to transform information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom, saying that technological advancement could help the legal system achieve greater efficiency and scale new heights.
The Chief Justice also appreciated the seamless virtual functioning between the Jammu and Srinagar Wings and acknowledged the increasing role and participation of the Ladakh Bar.
Kashmir’s Natural Beauty Leaves Lasting Impression
Speaking about Kashmir, Dr. Bhatti recalled his lifelong perception of the region as “Jannat” and shared his experiences of visiting places including Dal Lake, Hazratbal and the Shankaracharya Temple.
He said that beyond the scenic beauty of Kashmir, the legal fraternity shared a common responsibility towards the people and the justice system.
Describing lawyers as important stakeholders in society, the Chief Justice said advocates provide peace of mind to litigants and serve as a healing force in resolving complex social and legal problems.
Justice Yashpal Bourney Welcomed to High Court
Welcoming newly elevated Justice Yashpal Bourney, the Chief Justice invited members of the Bar, irrespective of seniority, to approach him with constructive suggestions aimed at improving the functioning of the institution.
He assured the legal fraternity that he would work towards preserving the traditions, culture and rich legacy of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and collectively strive to add a new chapter of excellence to its history.
The felicitation programme was the first such function organised by the Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association Srinagar for the Chief Justice.
The Common Bar Room witnessed an overwhelming gathering of advocates, with the large participation reflecting the enthusiasm and high expectations of the legal fraternity from the Chief Justice and the institution.
The strong response from the Bar was viewed as a positive indication of strengthening Bar-Bench relations and institutional cooperation in the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.(KNC)