Ladakh: The Jammu and Kashmir government has assured the High Court that the vacant post of Advocate General will be filled within one month. The assurance came during a hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the appointment of the Union Territory’s top law officer.
The post has remained vacant since October 18, 2024, following the resignation of former Advocate General DC Raina. The High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing on December 8, 2026.
J&K Government Gives One-Month Deadline For Advocate General Appointment
On November 5, 2026, Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli informed a Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that the appointment process was underway.
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She made the submission on the instructions of the government and assured the court that the appointment would be completed within one month.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, took the government’s statement on record.
Following the submission, the court scheduled the next hearing for December 8, 2026.
Why Has The Advocate General’s Post Remained Vacant
The post of Advocate General became vacant on October 18, 2024, when DC Raina submitted his resignation.
His resignation came after the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government took charge in the Union Territory.
Since then, Jammu and Kashmir has been without a regular Advocate General for more than two years.
The prolonged vacancy has raised concerns about the functioning of important legal and constitutional responsibilities in the Union Territory.
Jammu Kashmir Advocate General Appointment: Public Interest Litigation Filed By Advocate Harsh Dubey
Advocate Harsh Dubey filed a Public Interest Litigation before the High Court, seeking immediate steps to fill the vacant Advocate General’s post.
The petition requested the court to direct the competent authorities to complete the appointment process within a reasonable period.
According to the petitioner, keeping such an important constitutional office vacant for a long time could affect the administration of justice and government-related legal responsibilities.
The petition also requested the government to explain the reasons behind the prolonged vacancy and provide details of the steps taken towards the appointment.
Jammu Kashmir Advocate General Appointment: Vacancy Raises Concerns Over Advocates’ Welfare Fund Committee
The PIL also highlighted the possible impact of the vacancy on the Jammu and Kashmir Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee.
Under the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 2001, the Advocate General serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of this committee.
The petitioner argued that the absence of a regular Advocate General could affect the committee’s functioning and its statutory responsibilities.
The committee plays an important role in matters related to the welfare of advocates in Jammu and Kashmir.
What Does The Law Say About The Advocate General’s Appointment
Section 79 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, deals with the appointment of the Advocate General for the Union Territory.
The Advocate General is the government’s highest-ranking law officer and provides legal advice on important government matters.
The office also involves representing the government’s legal interests before the High Court and performing other duties assigned under the law.
The PIL has sought the court’s intervention to ensure that the appointment process is completed according to the applicable legal provisions.
FAQs
Advocate Harsh Dubey filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to fill the vacant Advocate General’s post in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has assured the High Court that the new Advocate General will be appointed within one month. The assurance was given on November 5, 2026.
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has scheduled the next hearing for December 8, 2026, in the case concerning the vacant Advocate General’s post.
