Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar: DD, On the recommendation of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, the Government has appointed ten District and Sessions Judges through an order issued on 17th October 2025.
As per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, among the promotees is Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi, widely regarded for his exemplary legal acumen, boldness, and integrity.
Qureshi, during his judicial career as Munsiff and Sub Judge, has authored several landmark judgments. As Munsiff, he held under the newly applied SARFAESI Act that the jurisdiction of civil courts is not completely ousted, providing relief to debtors. He also interpreted Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act in a balanced manner, differing from the then-prevailing Supreme Court interpretation — a position later validated when the apex court revised its view in line with Qureshi’s reasoning.
While serving as Judge Small Causes (Sub Judge) and Judicial Magistrate, he awarded reverse compensation of ₹10 lakh to a husband in a Domestic Violence Act case — a rare judgment nationally noted for highlighting the misuse and imbalance in the application of the law. The verdict was seen as a courageous assertion of judicial fairness rather than a challenge to the law itself.
As Chief Judicial Magistrate Ganderbal, Qureshi held a powerful IAS officer guilty of criminal contempt, directing the Chief Secretary to act against him.
The High Court upheld his findings and compelled the officer to tender an unconditional apology before Qureshi’s court.
Acknowledging his calibre, Qureshi was entrusted with key administrative responsibilities, including Central Project Coordinator (eCourts) for J&K and Ladakh, and Member Secretary of the Building and Infrastructure Committee for Kashmir and Kargil.
From these roles, he has now been elevated to District and Sessions Judge.
Born in a remote village of Kandi Karnah in Kupwara, Qureshi overcame severe hardships to pursue education.
He studied in local schools before moving to Srinagar’s Gandhi Memorial College, walking 40 km across snow-covered Sadna Top in January 2000 to secure admission.
Later, he graduated in Arts, pursued Law at Kashmir University after topping the entrance, and earned his LLM from Kurukshetra University with a dissertation on juvenile delinquency in Kashmir.
In 2010, Qureshi qualified the J&K Civil Services (Judicial) Examination in open merit and was appointed as Munsiff-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class. He rose to Sub Judge in 2020 and now to District and Sessions Judge in 2025.
As Principal Magistrate of the Juvenile Justice Board, Baramulla, he established dedicated infrastructure and launched Juveniles’ Fora, India’s first magazine on juvenile justice.
Beyond the courtroom, Qureshi has served as Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority and Chairman of the Legal Services Committee.
He is among India’s first judicial officers trained as a Master Trainer in ICT for the judiciary, having mentored numerous officers in technology and digital literacy. He also delivers academic lectures to law students, enriching the field of legal education.
Qureshi comes from a family of noted educationists — his uncle, Prof. Abdul Wahid Qureshi, served as Vice Chancellor of Kashmir and Central Universities, while another uncle, Qazi Abdul Hamid Qureshi, was a respected academic and Principal.
Known for his humility, honesty, and scholarship, Qureshi continues to represent J&K and Ladakh in the All India Judges Association.
His promotion has been widely celebrated, especially in Karnah, where people regard it as a collective moment of pride for the region. (KNC)
