A solemn Full Court Reference was held today in the courtroom of the Chief Justice at the Jammu Wing of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to pay tribute to the departed souls of the legal fraternity, including Senior Advocates Ashok Vijay Gupta and Prem Saroop Dutta, and Advocates Ramesh Chander Arora and Vinod Kumar Bakshi.
The proceedings were led by Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court, who in his condolence address reflected on the lasting contributions and professional excellence of the deceased advocates.
“Their unwavering dedication to the principles of justice, hard work, and commitment to the legal profession has left an indelible mark on the judiciary. Their passing is an irreparable loss to the legal community,” the Chief Justice stated.
Justice Palli, on behalf of himself and all judges of the High Court, offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
Senior members of the legal community, including Senior Additional Advocate General Monika Kohli and President of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Nirmal Kotwal, also addressed the gathering. They paid glowing tributes to the departed advocates, acknowledging their exceptional service, legal acumen, and moral integrity.
“They were not only pillars of legal wisdom but also mentors and guiding lights for the younger generation of lawyers,” said Kotwal.
Monika Kohli, speaking on behalf of the State, government advocates, and the Bar, also expressed condolences and lauded the contributions of the deceased, stating that their commitment to justice and the rule of law would continue to inspire.
The Full Court Reference saw physical attendance from judges and Bar members at the Jammu Wing, while judges and lawyers from the Srinagar Bench joined the proceedings virtually, underscoring the collective grief and respect from across the Union Territory.
As a mark of respect, one minute of silence was observed at the conclusion of the ceremony. Court work was suspended for the rest of the day.
The proceedings were conducted by Mohinder Kumar Sharma, Registrar General of the High Court.
