Yash Paul Bourney sworn in as JK and Ladakh High Court judge

Srinagar: Senior judicial officer Yash Paul Bourney was sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at a ceremony held at the Chief Justice’s Court in the Srinagar wing of the High Court on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati administered the oath of office to Justice Bourney.

The warrant of appointment was read out by M K Sharma, Registrar General of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, who also conducted the proceedings.

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice had issued the notification appointing Bourney as a High Court Judge on September 19, 2026.

Justice Bourney is a native of Dadwara village in Bhaddu, Billawar, in Kathua district. During his judicial career, he has served in several key judicial and administrative positions.

He has held the post of Principal District and Sessions Judge in Leh, Baramulla, Udhampur and Jammu. He also served as Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, in Srinagar and Jammu.

Among his institutional assignments, Justice Bourney served as Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, Registrar Vigilance of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and Director of the J&K Judicial Academy.

Before his elevation to the High Court, he was serving on deputation as a Member of the J&K Special Tribunal in Jammu. He held the position immediately prior to his appointment as a High Court Judge.