Jammu, Jan 04: Justice Pankaj Mithal on Monday was sworn in as Chief Justice of the common High Court for the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and union territory of Ladakh .

Lieutenant Governor (LG), Manoj Sinha administered the Oath of Office to the new Chief Justice at a swearing-in ceremony here at Convention Centre.

The LG congratulated Justice Pankaj Mithal for his new appointment.

The Registrar General of the High Court read out the warrant of appointment. 

Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal is 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.

After Justice Gita Mittal’s retirement, Justice Rajesh Bindal has been serving as the High Court’s acting Chief Justice. His 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. After this he was elevated as an additional judge of that High Court, where 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.