Chief Justice visits Baramulla; inaugurates NDPS Court

Baramulla, Oct 24: Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, along with Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Administrative Judge for District Baramulla, inaugurated the newly created Special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court today. This marks a significant advancement in the judicial approach to combating drug-related offenses.

Upon his arrival, Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, accompanied by Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, M.K. Sharma, Principal Secretary, and Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, were warmly welcomed by Jawad Ahmed, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Baramulla; Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla; Mohd. Zaid, SSP, Baramulla; and other judicial officers and officials from the civil and police administration. A ceremonial guard of honour was also accorded to the Chief Justice.

Following the inauguration, the Chief Justice observed the proceedings of cases being taken up by the Special Judge (NDPS).

During these proceedings, the accused appeared from different jails via video conference. Subsequently, the Chief Justice and the Administrative Judge inspected the functioning of various courts at the Baramulla headquarters and interacted with the judicial officers. The Chief Justice praised their efforts over the past quarter, noting that the disposal rate of cases exceeded the number of new cases filed. He urged the judicial officers to work with dedication, emphasising that, with all vacant judicial posts now filled, litigants expect expedited resolution of their cases.

On this occasion, the Bar Association of Baramulla felicitated Justice Tashi on his appointment as the 37th Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. The Administrative Judge was also honoured and commended for ensuring the appointment of a competent team of judicial officers in District Baramulla and for promptly addressing the Bar’s other demands.

Adv Nilofer Masood, President of the Bar Association, welcomed the dignitaries and expressed gratitude to both the Chief Justice and the Administrative Judge for addressing the need for a new court complex and the necessary judicial infrastructure with both the district and UT administration. She hoped that the genuine concerns of Bar members would continue to be addressed with the same urgency.

“The establishment of the Special NDPS Court is a proactive response to the increasing incidents of drug offenses, reflecting a collaborative effort among the judiciary, law enforcement, and community stakeholders. This court is designed to handle cases specifically related to the NDPS Act, ensuring they receive the necessary attention and expertise to effectively navigate these complex issues.”

The Special NDPS Court will operate under a specialised framework, with judges and staff trained to manage the unique aspects of drug-related cases.

During the visit, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Baramulla, under the auspices of the J&K Legal Services Authority and in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, organised a special camp.