Justice Pankaj Mithal sworn in as new CJ of J&K, Ladakh HC

JAMMU: Justice Pankaj Mithal was on Monday sworn-in as new Chief Justice of the common High Court for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha administered the Oath of Office to the new Chief Justice and congratulated him for his new appointment.

The Registrar General of the High Court read out the warrant of appointment. Proceedings of the Oath Ceremony were conducted by Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor.

Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal has been appointed to head the High Court for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in view of the retirement of Chief Justice Gita Mittal recently.

Former Chief Justice, J&K, Justice Gita Mittal; Judges of the High Court, J&K; Judges from Allahabad High Court; Members of Parliament; Advisors to the Lt Governor; Chief Secretary; Administrative Secretaries; Senior officers of Judiciary; Civil Administration; Police; family members and friends of Justice Pankaj Mithal were also present on the occasion.

Following Justice Mittal’s retirement, Justice Rajesh Bindal has been serving as the High Court’s acting Chief Justice. Justice Bindal’s transfer to the Calcutta High Court has also been notified today.

Justice Pankaj Mithal enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh in 1985 and practiced before the Allahabad High Court until 2006 when he was elevated as an additional judge of that High Court. He became a permanent judge in 2008.

The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Mithal’s elevation as the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s Chief Justice on December 14.