Srinagar, June 6: The Jammu and Kashmir Judicial Academy on Saturday inaugurated the Pre-Appointment Induction Training Programme for 39 newly selected Civil Judges (Junior Division) at its Srinagar campus, marking the beginning of a comprehensive orientation aimed at preparing the young judicial officers for their responsibilities in the justice delivery system.
The inaugural session was graced by Justice Arun Palli, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, in the presence of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairperson of the Governing Committee of J&K Judicial Academy, along with other judges of the High Court.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Arun Palli described judicial service as a sacred public trust, stating that trial court judges are often the first and most direct representatives of the judiciary for ordinary citizens. He urged the newly selected officers to uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility and fairness, remain committed to continuous learning and strengthen public confidence in the judicial system through their conduct and decisions.
In his special address, Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar congratulated the participants and emphasized that judicial service demands impartiality, discipline, compassion and unwavering integrity. He advised the officers to remain lifelong learners, adopt technology responsibly, avoid excessive dependence on artificial intelligence, and perform their duties fearlessly and strictly in accordance with the law.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal, in his introductory remarks, termed the transition from the Bar to the Bench as a significant milestone requiring a shift from advocacy to impartial adjudication. He reminded the participants that their foremost allegiance must remain to the Constitution and the rule of law, while stressing the importance of patience, independence, restraint and continuous self-improvement in judicial service.
Earlier, Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director of the J&K Judicial Academy, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the crucial role of judicial education in strengthening the justice delivery system. He said the induction programme had been specifically designed to equip the newly selected judges with the necessary knowledge, professional skills and ethical foundations required for judicial responsibilities.
Following the inauguration, the academic sessions commenced with an interactive programme on the objectives, structure and expected outcomes of the induction training, jointly conducted by Justice Rajnesh Oswal and Justice Sanjay Parihar.
The second session, led by Director Naseer Ahmad Dar, focused on the role and ethical expectations of Civil Judges (Junior Division), deliberating upon courtroom discipline, judicial temperament and the importance of maintaining dignity, professionalism and impartiality during proceedings.
In the concluding session of the day, Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani delivered a lecture on the Foundations of Judicial Ethics, emphasizing that ethics form the cornerstone of both personal and professional life. He underscored that true judicial independence emanates from conscience and moral integrity, enabling judges to administer justice fairly and without external influence. He observed that judicial independence carries a solemn responsibility to uphold ethical values, fairness and the rule of law.
The participants actively engaged in the deliberations throughout the day. The induction programme will continue with a series of thematic sessions aimed at enhancing professional competence, ethical awareness and judicial excellence among the newly appointed Civil Judges (Junior Division).
