NEW DELHI, September 8, 2026 – Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has been appointed to discharge the functions of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, taking on the additional charge during the temporary absence of incumbent LG Manoj Sinha.
1.Presidential Order and Sinha’s US Visit:
According to an official communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointment, authorizing Saxena to assume the duties of the J&K LG alongside his existing responsibilities in Ladakh. This temporary arrangement was made as Manoj Sinha, who has served as the LG of Jammu and Kashmir since August 7, 2020, is currently in the United States on an official visit, which included an address at the IIT (BHU) Global Alumni Meet in Chicago.
2.Administering Oath to New Chief Justice:
Saxena’s first major ceremonial duty in his expanded role will take place on September 9, when he is scheduled to administer the oath of office to Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati as the new Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Convention Centre in Srinagar. Justice Bhati, a senior judge who was elevated to the Rajasthan High Court in 2016, was recently appointed by President Murmu to succeed Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar.
3.A Historic First for Ladakh:
This development marks a unique administrative milestone for the region. It is the first time since Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory in August 2019 that an incumbent LG of Ladakh will administer the oath of office to the Chief Justice of the common High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Saxena, who previously served as the LG of Delhi before taking charge as the fourth LG of Ladakh in March 2026, will handle both UTs until Sinha resumes his duties.
Published by True Roots Media Network