The Supreme Court of India collegium has recommended the elevation of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, a native of Kashmir’s Kulgam, as the new Chief Justice of the high court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India UU Lalit, also recommended the transfer of incumbent Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal to the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Magrey is currently serving as a judge in the high court of J&K and Ladakh.
Born in South Kashmir’s Kulgam in December 1960, Justice Magrey received his school education in his native village Watoo. He later pursued graduation and LL.B (Hon’s) from the University of Kashmir.
He started practising law as an advocate in district courts like revenue courts and tribunals in 1984. Simultaneously, he also started appearing in the high court.
Justice Magrey also served as the standing counsel for the State Financial Corporation, Jammu & Kashmir Bank and SIDCO, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Power Development Department, Service Selection Board, and Jammu & Kashmir Wakf Board.
In February 2003, he was appointed as additional advocate general of J&K with the allocation of General Administration Department, Health and Medical Education Department, Service Selection Board, State Public Service Commission, Estates Department, SKIMS and Vigilance Department.
He was appointed as senior additional advocate general in September 2009 with an additional charge of the Home Department. He appeared before the division bench and the full bench of the high court in matters involving important questions of law on behalf of the J&K government.
He also appeared in some important cases in the Supreme Court of India.
Justice Magrey also appeared in several important Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to constitutional, service, tax, and civil matters.
He also appeared in commissions of inquiry on behalf of J&K before being appointed as a permanent judge of the high court of Jammu & Kashmir on March 7, 2013, and took the oath of the office next day.