Asif Iqbal Naik
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Oct 17, 2025: In a move to shore up the judicial administration, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has sanctioned the adhoc appointment of ten Sub-Judges as District Judges (Entry Level). These appointments were made following a specific recommendation from the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The appointments, which are in terms of Rule 20 of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Judicial Service Rules, 2009, were formalized through Government Order No. 15108 -JK(LD) of 2025, issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
The ten judicial officers elevated on an adhoc basis are:
1. Mr. Mir Wajahat
2. Mr. Aadil Mushtaq
3. Ms. Fozia Paul
4. Ms. Mehreen Mushtag
5. Mr. Feroz Ahmad Khan
6. Mr. Imran Hussain Wani
7. Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi
8. Ms. Preet Simran Kour
9. Mr. Umesh Sharma
10. Mr. Sheikh Gowhar Hussain
Lieutenant Governor’s Approval
The Government Order explicitly notes that the sanction for these crucial judicial appointments was issued “By Order of the Lieutenant Governor” after receiving a reference from the Registrar General of the High Court. This signifies the high-level administrative approval received for filling these temporary vacancies in the Higher Judicial Service. The order was signed by Achal Sethi, Secretary to Government, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, on October 17, 2025.
Temporary Tenure and Conditions
The Government Order further details the temporary nature of these appointments, which are subject to stringent conditions:
* Duration: The adhoc tenure is for a period of six months or until the regular selection/appointment is finalized, whichever occurs earlier.
* No Seniority Claim: The appointment shall not confer any right to claim seniority or any other superior right against those who are eventually appointed through the regular selection process (Direct or LCE quota).
* Reversion Clause: All adhoc appointees will be reverted to their original Sub-Judge cadre once the District Judges’ posts are filled on a substantive basis by direct recruitment, unless an eligible vacancy exists in their category.
The decision, based on the High Court’s recommendation, is aimed at ensuring the smooth and continuous functioning of the judiciary in the Union Territory until the full process for regular appointments to the Higher Judicial Service can be completed.
