Justice Pushpendra Bhati sworn in as Chief Justice of J&K, Ladakh High Court

Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati took the oath of office as Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in a ceremony held at Sher‑e‑Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in Srinagar. The oath was administered by Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh who also holds additional charge of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and the event was attended by a number of sitting and former chief justices and judges from several high courts nationwide.

The swearing‑in took place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Bhati, born on September 21, 1970, previously served as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court after his elevation on November 16, 2016. He held the post of Additional Advocate General for Rajasthan from October 13 to December 29, 2008 and again from January 6, 2014. Academically, he holds a law degree, a master’s in Mercantile Law and a doctorate, and has taught at Jai Narain Vyas University and the National Law University, Jodhpur.

Bhati’s appointment comes after a distinguished career spanning legal practice, advocacy, and academia, positioning him to influence the administration of justice in the strategically sensitive Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The legal fraternity and the general public in the region are expected to watch closely how his leadership shapes judicial efficiency, case management, and the protection of fundamental rights in the area.