Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Jan 22: Union Ministry of Law and Justice today issued the formal notification for appointment of Justice Narayanan Nadar Paul Vasantha Kumar as the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
The notification bearing No. K 13021/04/2014-US.II dated January 22 has been issued by Praveen Garg, Joint Secretary with the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 95 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Narayanan Nadar Paul Vasantha Kumar, Judge of Madras High Court to be the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office”, says the notification, whose copy is with EXCELSIOR.
Asked about the probable date of joining of the Chief Justice, sources said, “now that notification has been issued, Justice Vasantha Kumar can assume office shortly and his joining would also depend on the availability of Governor, N N Vohra, who has to administer the oath of office”.
“This could also happen even before the State High Court’s winter vacations come to an end on January 31”, sources asserted adding, “the copy of the notification has also been sent to Raj Bhavan and the Chennai High Court, where Justice Vasantha Kumar is still working”.
Justice Vasantha had been appointed as Additional Judge of Madras High Court on December 10, 2005 and as Permanent Judge on July 20, 2007. During his stint in the High Court of Madras, he had delivered several important judgements on several legal issues.
Among the important judgements pronounced by Justice Vasantha included statutory prohibition for failing a student and retaining (him) in the same standard, refusing permission for granite quarrying in hilly areas and making compulsory for banks to provide loans to students for educational purposes etc.
Prior to his appointment, Justice Vasantha held the post of Senior Standing Counsel for Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and also Standing Counsel for Central Government. He was also given an honorary post of the member in Ecclesiastical Synod Court, C.S.I Specialist in Service Law, Labour Law and Education matter.
It is pertinent to mention here that on January 2, the President of India appointed senior-most judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Muhammad Yaqoob Mir, as its acting Chief Justice.
Justice Mir had been appointed as officiating Chief Justice consequent upon retirement of the then Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Mahesh Mittal Kumar, who superannuated on January 3.
The State High Court had been closed for winter vacation of 2015 from January 5, 2015 to January 30, 2015 (both days inclusive). During this period, the High Court Authorities had nominated judges for the vacation for both wings of High Court to hear urgent matters.
For Jammu wing, Justice Hasnain Massodi is the Vacation Judge till January 23, 2015 and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal is the Vacation Judge in week commencing from January 27 to January 30, 2015.
For Srinagar wing, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal is Vacation Judge till January 23 and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat is the vacation Judge in week commencing from January 27 to January 30, 2015.
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