'Law Was A Solemn Calling For Him': J&K&L High Court Chief Justice Arun Palli Pays Tribute To Justice V.K. Jhanji
Aleem Syeed
11 March 2026 2:25 PM IST
The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Highcourt held a Full Court reference on March 9 to pay tribute to former Acting Chief Justice Vijay Kumar Jhanji, who passed away on February 23, 2026.
Chief Justice Arun Palli described Justice Jhanji's passing as the end of a distinguished judicial journey marked by intellect, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to justice. He noted that Justice Jhanji belonged to a generation of lawyers and judges who regarded the law not merely as a profession but as a solemn calling.
Justice Jhanji received his school education at Anglo Sanskrit School, Daryaganj, Delhi, and later pursued higher studies at Hindu College. He subsequently studied law at the Campus Law Centre and entered the legal profession in 1971. He began his practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he soon established himself as a lawyer of remarkable ability.
In 1991, Justice Jhanji was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Chief Justice recalled that he was widely regarded as one of the sharpest judicial minds and was known for expecting clarity, precision, and preparedness from counsel appearing before him.
In December 2001, Justice Jhanji was transferred to the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, where he served with distinction and also held the office of Acting Chief Justice on two occasions.
Among his notable judicial contributions, the Chief Justice highlighted the Full Bench decision in State of Jammu and Kashmir v. Dr. Susheela Sawhney, in which Justice Jhanji authored the majority opinion.
The judgment addressed the long-standing issue of whether a woman would lose her permanent resident status upon marrying a person from outside the State. The Court held that such rights could not be extinguished merely by marriage outside the State, reaffirming principles of equality and dignity. The decision remains a significant milestone in the constitutional jurisprudence of the region.
The Chief Justice also shared recollections of members of the Bench and Bar who had appeared before Justice Jhanji.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar recalled his willingness to explore complex questions of law with intellectual curiosity, while Justice Sindhu Sharma remembered the clarity and speed with which he decided matters while ensuring that both senior and junior members of the Bar, including young and women lawyers, were given a fair hearing.
Even after his retirement, Justice Jhanji continued to command deep respect within the legal fraternity and remained a sought-after name in arbitration.
Concluding the reference, the Chief Justice said that while Justice Jhanji's judgments would remain part of the legal record, the values he embodied—discipline, intellectual honesty, and courage in decision-making—would continue to form part of the institutional memory of the courts he served.
The Court expressed its condolences to his wife, Mrs. Neeti Jhanji, and his sons, Vineet Jhanji and Amit Jhanji, noting that his legacy would continue through them and through the enduring impact of his work.