Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done: Acting Chief Justice
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 07:
The Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy, under the patronage of Acting Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Sanjeev Kumar and the guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairman, Governing Committee, J&K Judicial Academy, today concluded the academy-based phase of the Pre-Appointment Induction Training Programme for 39 Trainee Civil Judges (Junior Division), Batch-2026.
The programme was graced by Acting Chief Justice (Acting), High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, M K Sharma and other Judicial Officers of the registry.
In an engaging interactive session, the Acting Chief Justice congratulated the trainee Civil Judges on successfully completing the Academy-based phase of the induction programme. He said that the training had equipped them with the knowledge, skills and values essential for discharge of judicial functions effectively.
He emphasized that the office of a Judge is not merely a position of authority but a solemn constitutional trust, requiring the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, patience, humility and unwavering commitment to the rule of law.
Stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, the Acting Chief Justice exhorted the trainee officers to consciously guard against every form of bias, whether personal, social, cultural or unconscious. He asked them to ensure that every judicial determination is guided solely by the Constitution, the law and the evidence placed on record.
The Acting Chief Justice further highlighted the contemporary challenges confronting the justice delivery system, including inadequate judicial infrastructure, shortage of judicial officers, among other challenges. He observed that these challenges call for greater efficiency, resilience and commitment from judicial officers while reaffirming that they should never compromise the quality or fairness of justice.
He urged the trainee officers to remain fearless and independent in discharge of their judicial duties, courteous and compassionate in their conduct. He impressed upon to embrace technology as an aid to justice and pursue continuous learning and self-improvement to effectively meet the evolving demands of judicial service.
Appreciating the dedicated efforts of the Director, Resource Persons, officers and staff of the J&K Judicial Academy in successfully conducting the induction programme, the Acting Chief Justice expressed confidence that the newly appointed Civil Judges would uphold the highest traditions of the Indian judiciary and discharge their constitutional responsibilities with courage, wisdom, integrity and compassion.
In his special address to the trainee officers, M. K. Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, described their appointment as the acceptance of a solemn constitutional responsibility. Emphasizing that the office of a Judge is a public trust, he exhorted them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, patience, humility and diligence in the discharge of their judicial functions. He urged them to treat every litigant with dignity, remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law without fear or favour and continue enriching their legal knowledge through constant learning and technological advancement.
Stressing that public confidence in the judiciary is earned through fairness, competence and exemplary conduct, he encouraged the officers to discharge their duties with courage, wisdom and compassion. He also appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Academy, its Resource Persons and staff in successfully conducting the induction programme.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, expressed his gratitude to Chief Justice for his continued encouragement to judicial education. He said that the academy-based phase had equipped the trainee Civil Judges with a sound foundation in law, judicial skills, court administration, technology-enabled justice delivery and the core values of the judicial office. He informed the trainees that the forthcoming Court Attachment would provide them with valuable practical exposure to court proceedings and judicial administration, enabling them to translate classroom learning into courtroom practice.
Urging the officers to approach the attachment with sincerity, discipline and keen observation, he encouraged them to learn from experienced judicial officers and make the most of this formative phase of their training.
He also expressed gratitude to Justice Rajnesh Oswal, the Members of the Governing Committee, M. K. Sharma, Registrar General, all the Resource Persons and the officers and staff of the Academy for their constant guidance, support and contributions towards the successful conduct of the programme.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Saiqa Sharief Khan, Trainee Civil Judge, while the proceedings were moderated by Priyanka Bhardwaj, Trainee Civil Judge. The academy-based phase of the Pre-Appointment Induction Training Programme concluded with the trainee officers poised to commence their Court Attachment, marking the next phase of their journey towards judicial service.