SRINAGAR, September 23, 2026 – Senior judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney was officially sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh during a solemn ceremony held at the Chief Justice’s Court in the Srinagar wing on Tuesday. Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati administered the oath of office to Justice Bourney, formally elevating him to the higher judiciary. The warrant of appointment, issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice on September 19 following the Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation, was read out by High Court Registrar General M.K. Sharma, who also conducted the proceedings. The ceremony witnessed the physical presence of several sitting judges, including Justices Rajnesh Oswal, Mohd. Akram Chowdhary, and Wasim Sadiq Nargal, while judges serving at the Jammu wing joined the proceedings virtually. Senior dignitaries, including the Additional Chief Secretary, ADGP CID, and the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, alongside members of the legal fraternity and Bourney’s family, were also in attendance to mark the significant occasion.
Born on August 25, 1967, in Dadwara village of the Billawar area in Kathua district, Justice Bourney brings nearly three decades of extensive legal and administrative experience to the High Court Bench. Having entered the judicial service in December 1997, he has held several key assignments across the region, including serving as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Leh, Baramulla, Udhampur, and Jammu. His distinguished career also includes crucial tenures as Special Judge, Anti-Corruption in both Srinagar and Jammu, equipping him with profound expertise in handling complex cases involving public officials and governance.
Furthermore, Justice Bourney has significantly contributed to judicial administration throughout his career. He has held vital institutional positions, serving as Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, Registrar Vigilance of the High Court, and Director of the J&K Judicial Academy. Immediately prior to his elevation, he was serving on deputation as a Member of the J&K Special Tribunal in Jammu. With his formal induction, the working strength of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has now risen to 14 against a sanctioned capacity of 25 judges, providing a much-needed boost to the institution’s capacity to address pending litigation and enhance case disposal rates across the Union Territory.
Published by True Roots Media Network