Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: Chief Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar today administered oath to Justice Janak Raj Kotwal as Permanent Judge of J&K High Court.
Earlier, the warrants of appointment and notification received from Rashtrapati Bhawan and Union Ministry of Law and Justice was read by Kaneez Fatima, Registrar General of J&K High Court. She also read the letter of Governor authorizing Chief Justice to administer the oath of office to Justice Janak Raj Kotwal.
Born in Bhaderwah on 29th August, 1956, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal was appointed as Munsiff Hiranagar in November 1982 after qualifying Kashmir Civil Service (Judicial) exam. After rendering excellent judicial service for 17 years, he was promoted as District and Sessions Judge in August 1999.
He was posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge of almost all the districts of Jammu province besides serving two times as Special Judge Anti-corruption Court Jammu. Because of his outstanding performance, his services were placed at the disposal of Chief Justice of the J&K High Court and served as Registrar Judicial, Principal Secretary to Chief Justice, Registrar Vigilance and Registrar General High Court.
He has always maintained judicial decorum and dignity of the court wherever he was posted. His last posting before elevation was Judicial Member, J&K Special Tribunal (appellate authority) and he was appointed as Additional Judge of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on 08.03.2013.
The oath ceremony was attended by Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, Justice Tashi Rabstan, Justice BS Walia, Law Minister, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and retired Judges of J&K High Court, Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, R S Jain, Registrar Vigilance Ashok Koul, Principal Secretary to CJ, MY Akhoon, Director Judicial Academy Pawan Dev Kotwal and senior members of Bar Association.