SHILLONG: Justice Tashi Rabstan has been nominated to be the new Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
This Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation comes following the retirement announcement of the current Chief Justice S Vaidyanathan, scheduled for August 24.
Justice Rabstan, currently the senior-most judge of the High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, is set to become the first Chief Justice hailing from the Ladakh region.
The Collegium, chaired by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, highlighted the “historic nature” of this appointment, noting the lack of representation from Ladakh among the judges of High Courts and in the office of Chief Justice thus far.
“Justice Tashi Rabstan would be the first Chief Justice from the region of Ladakh which has otherwise little or no representation among the Judges of the High Court and no representation at all so far in the office of Chief Justice, the Collegium recommends his appointment as Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya,” the resolution read.
Born on April 10, 1963, in Skurbuchan, Leh Ladakh, Justice Rabstan completed his LL.B. and other academic pursuits at the University of Jammu.
He began his legal career after joining the Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir in 1990, practicing primarily at the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Justice Rabstan ascended to the role of additional judge of the High Court in March 2013, securing permanent judge status by May 2014.
His judicial career includes a notable stint as Acting Chief Justice of the High Court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in 2022.
The Collegium’s resolution highlights Justice Rabstan’s illustrious career and significant contributions to the judiciary, affirming his experience and seniority as he prepares to assume the mantle of Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
