JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu (JKHCBAJ) on Wednesday held a press conference highlighting two key issues concerning the legal fraternity and balanced regional development in the Union Territory — establishment of National Law Universities (NLUs) across regions and the long-pending Bar Council elections.
Addressing the media, JKHCBAJ President Nirmal K. Kotwal (Senior Advocate) welcomed the decision to set up a National Law University temporarily at Ompora, Budgam in Kashmir. He, however, stressed that the initiative must be extended to Jammu and Ladakh as well to ensure equitable access to high-quality legal education.
Kotwal said that limiting the project to one region would deepen regional imbalance and deprive talented youth from Jammu and Ladakh of world-class opportunities. He emphasized that equity, federalism and inclusive growth — principles enshrined in the Constitution — demand equal representation in institutions of higher legal education.
The Association reiterated its long-standing demand for the immediate conduct of J&K Bar Council elections, which have remained pending despite repeated representations and directions of the Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 465 of 2013. The court had directed the Bar Council of India to complete necessary formalities and enable elections under the Advocates Act, 1961, but the process remains stalled, Kotwal said.
He warned that the prolonged delay in elections erodes the autonomy of the Bar and deprives enrolled advocates of proper representation.
The Association urged the government not to politicise the issues and instead address the genuine concerns of the legal fraternity.
The press conference was attended by S. Baldev Singh (Vice President), Pardeep Majotra (General Secretary), Anshu Mahajan (Joint Secretary) and Rahul Aggarwal (Treasurer). The Association reaffirmed its commitment to building a robust and inclusive legal ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
