Labeling it a “personal shock,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has demanded an explanation behind the high court’s recommendation to retire Judge Tejwinder Singh, widely praised for his handling of the Kathua case that shook the nation in 2018.
By Pravin Kumar
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock and concern over the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s recommendation for the compulsory retirement of District and Sessions Judge Tejwinder Singh, who gained prominence for delivering justice in the high-profile Kathua rape and murder case of 2018.
Reacting strongly to the adverse recommendations, Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, described the decision as “baffling and troubling,” urging authorities to publicly disclose the reasons behind the move to maintain transparency and public trust in the judiciary.
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Tejwinder Singh, once celebrated as India’s youngest magistrate at age 23 and featured in the 1993 Limca Book of Records, presided over the Kathua case as District and Sessions Judge in Pathankot. The trial, shifted from Kathua to Pathankot by the Supreme Court, involved the brutal abduction, rape, and murder of an eight-year-old girl in January 2018, a case that sparked nationwide outrage and drew global attention. Singh convicted six of the seven accused in June 2019, earning recognition for his sobriety and professional competence.
The recommendation for Tejwinder Singh’s compulsory retirement comes as a personal shock to me. He was the judge who courageously delivered justice in the high-profile Kathua rape and murder case, ensuring accountability for the brutal crime against a 9 year old girl. The… https://t.co/gDGxig0l66
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 5, 2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently recommended Singh’s compulsory retirement, reportedly due to his construction of a house without mandatory permissions, according to sources. Following the recommendation, his judicial responsibilities were withdrawn, and the matter has been forwarded to the Punjab government for notification. However, no official explanation has been provided by the High Court, prompting widespread debate.
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Mufti emphasized the need for clarity, stating, “The recommendation for Tejwinder Singh’s compulsory retirement comes as a personal shock to me. He was the judge who courageously delivered justice in the high-profile Kathua rape and murder case, ensuring accountability for the brutal crime against a 9-year-old girl.
The decision to retire him compulsorily without any official explanation is both baffling and troubling.” She called for transparency, arguing that public trust in the judiciary depends on clear reasoning for such decisions.
Sources indicate that the High Court’s action is part of a broader effort to enforce accountability within the judiciary, with over two dozen judicial officers facing scrutiny over the past two years. The decision, made during a full court meeting of High Court judges, awaits final notification from the Punjab government.
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