J

Srinagar, July 29 (UNI) The full-fledged High Court of Judicature for the Jammu and Kashmir State was established in the year 1928, ending the Maharaja's authority to dispense justice.

Earlier, the ruler was the final authority in the administration of justice and deciding most cases.

In the year 1889, the British Government asked the then ruler Maharaja Partap Singh to appoint a Council. The judicial member of the Council exercised all the appellate powers, both on civil and criminal side.

The State having two provinces- Jammu and Kashmir, had chief judges exercising judicial authority but they acted under the superintendence and control of the Law member of the Council.

Later the Council was abolished and a Minister designated as Judge of the High Court was appointed by the Ruler to decide judicial cases.

In 1927 a new Constitution was adopted by the then Ruler of the State and in the place of Law Member, a Ministry in the Judicial Department was created.

By virtue of Order No. dated March 26, 1928, the High Court of Judicature was established and was to consist of the Chief Justice and two Judges. On the same date, the Maharaja appointed Lala Kanwar Sein as the First Chief Justice of the Court and Rai Bahadur Lala Bodh Raj Sawhney and Khan Sahib Aga Syed Hussain as Puisne Judges.

The usual places of sitting of the High Court were Jammu and Srinagar.

MORE UNI BAS VD RS1829