Srinagar, Dec 24 (KDC): The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has stayed the bar election notification for conducting fresh polls to the District Bar Association Shopian, after a petition filed by a local advocate challenging the 2023 amendment to the bar constitution.
The petition, according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com, has been filed by Advocate Abdul Basit Bhat, who appeared before the court in person. The petitioner contended that the amendment to the constitution was introduced in 2023 by a handful of members in the absence of an amendment clause in the original 2012 constitution, allegedly to restrict young advocates from contesting bar elections.
Bhat also submitted before the court that he had applied on 17.10.2025 seeking documents related to the constitutional amendment, including the copy of the amended constitution, names of members who proposed it, notice for the general body meeting, minutes of the meeting, details of participants, the name-wise list of members who voted in favour, and the circular regarding its adoption. However, the information was not furnished to him till date, the plea stated.
The petitioner further challenged the Bar Election Commission’s notification dated 11.12.2025, announcing fresh elections of the bar association scheduled for 27.12.2025.
A bench of the High Court, presided over by Justice Rajesh Sekhri, according to news agency Kashmir Dot Com observed that a prima facie case for indulgence was made out, and issued notice to the respondents, returnable within four weeks. The court directed the petitioner to take requisite steps within one week and also permitted dasti notice.
In the interim, the court ordered that the impugned election notification shall remain stayed, subject to objections from the other side.
The matter has now been listed for hearing on 27.01.2026 for further proceedings. (KDC)
