Justice Arun Palli Sworn in as Chief Justice of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

Justice Arun Palli was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on April 16, 2025, in a formal ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Justice Palli.

Background of Appointment

This appointment follows the retirement of Justice Tashi Rabstan, who had served as the Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court until April 9, 2025. After Justice Rabstan's retirement, Justice Sanjeev Kumar had been serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Arun Palli’s name for the position just before Justice Rabstan’s retirement, and the Central Government officially approved the appointment on April 12, 2025.

Personal and Professional Background

Justice Arun Palli, born on September 18, 1964, hails from a distinguished legal lineage. His father, Prem Kishan Palli, was a Senior Advocate and a Judge at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, retiring in 1998. He pursued his commerce degree and completed his law degree from Panjab University in 1988. Justice Palli began his legal career at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, quickly rising through the ranks due to his expertise in law. He was appointed as the Additional Advocate General for Punjab from 2004 to 2007. His contributions were recognized when he was designated as a Senior Advocate in 2007.

Judicial Career and Administrative Roles

Justice Palli was appointed as a Judge at the Punjab and Haryana High Court on December 28, 2013. Throughout his tenure, he has played an active role in judicial administration, demonstrating leadership in various capacities. Since May 2023, he has been serving as the Executive Chairman of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority. Furthermore, in October 2023, he was appointed as a member of the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), marking another significant step in his career with a two-year term.