With the elevation of Justice Bansi Lal Bhat, the strength of permanent judges of High Court goes to nine including Chief Justice.
Justice B L Bhat born on 19-4-1954 at village Arihal in Tehsil and District Pulwama Kashmir, passed Matriculation from Government High School, Hawal when he was below 14 years. Did Graduation from Amar Singh College, Srinagar in 1972 and obtained his Law Degree from University of Kashmir in 1974. He got enrolled as pleader with Bar Association Srinagar on 15.01.1975. Shifted to Pulwama and practiced in Civil, Criminal and Revenue Courts until selection in KCS Judicial. Joined as Munsiff on 17.11.1982, he was promoted as Sub-Judge on 29.06.1989.
Bhat served as CJM, Jammu till his induction in Higher Judicial Service in August 1999. He also served as Principal District and Sessions Judge in Jammu and Srinagar besides at Poonch, Reasi and Kathua. He also served as Presiding Officer of Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Jammu for a year. Got selection Grade on 01.02.2005 and was placed in Super Time Scale on 01.02.2009. He served for two tenures as Special Judge Anti Corruption Jammu. Was appointed as Special Judge of the newly created Anti Corruption Court for trial of CBI Cases on 18.08.2011 where he served till his elevation. Contributed to development of Law by delivering many Landmark judgments & settled thousands of disputes as Presiding Officer of the Permanent Lok Adalat.
A regular contributor to SJA Newsletter, Bhat delivered lectures in State Judicial Academy and Faculty of Law University of Jammu. He was appointed as Additional Judge of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on 08.03.2013. JNF