Raja Tasleem: Presiding Over Hearts, Forever

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Raja Tasleem

By Sartaj Hussain

The sudden demise of Raja Tasleem Abbas Khan, who was serving as the Special Judge of the UAPA Court in Sopore, Baramulla, has left the entire legal fraternity of Kashmir in profound grief. His passing is not just a loss to his family and colleagues but an irreplaceable void in the judicial system of Jammu and Kashmir. Known for his sharp legal acumen and unwavering commitment to justice, Raja Tasleem Sahab upheld the highest standards of decorum and fairness throughout his career.

Raja Tasleem Sahab left for his heavenly abode at the prime of his career, a time when his contributions to the legal system were at their most impactful. In both his professional and personal life, he was known as a thorough gentleman-kind-hearted, patient, and always willing to lend a listening ear. His ability to balance firmness in his judicial role with compassion in his interactions set him apart as a judge and as a human being.

Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him, whether in a professional capacity or otherwise, has a story to share about his kindness and fairness. I am no exception.

My very first interaction with a judge was with Raja Tasleem Sahab when he served as the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar. At the time, I was in the second semester of my LL.B degree when, along with my friend and Tasleem Sahab's family member, Raja Mohammad Zeeshan Khan, I had the honour of meeting him in his chamber. That encounter left a lasting impact on me, as his personality exuded wisdom, humility, and grace.

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I also vividly recall sitting in his court one day when an advocate had two cases listed before him. In one, the matter had reached the stage of arguments, while in the other, the court merely recorded the party's presence and scheduled a new date. The party in the latter case had been waiting all day for their matter to be taken up. Upon seeing his advocate argue fearlessly in the other case, he remarked in frustration,“Wuch aemsind wiz kyuth boolut” (Look how you represented his case).

Unaware of the procedural stage of his own case, the client, feeling neglected, went up to Tasleem Sahab and complained, believing his advocate was not doing enough. Tasleem Sahab listened patiently but, in his characteristic gentle manner, explained that while the client might litigate only once, the advocate had to appear before the court every day. He would not allow an advocate's reputation to be unfairly maligned.

It was a remarkable display of the deep understanding and respect that should exist between the Bench and the Bar. Such was the wisdom and fairness of Raja Tasleem Sahab-an exemplary judge and an extraordinary human being.

Beyond his fairness and wisdom, Raja Tasleem Sahab had a profound impact on young legal professionals like myself. I recall a time when a friend of mine was aggrieved because his complaint was not acted upon by the concerned police station. Seeking guidance, my colleagues and I approached Tasleem Sahab and narrated the issue.

Without hesitation, he advised us to draft an application for a status report and then issued an order in our favour. That moment was not just a resolution of the issue at hand-it became a valuable learning experience. He gave us not only an understanding of legal procedure but also our very first court order.

As rightly remarked by a friend and a colleague, Advocate Sobiya Manzoor Pullo,“Raja Tasleem effortlessly made advocacy accessible for a newcomer like me, with his patient ear and commitment to ensuring the justice one rightfully deserved. He went above and beyond, tirelessly supporting both advocates and clients in their quest for fairness.”

The legal fraternity of Kashmir has lost a towering figure, a judge who embodied justice, fairness, and kindness in every aspect of his work. His memory will continue to inspire those who knew him, and his contributions to the judiciary will not be forgotten.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know him, even if briefly, and to witness his sense of justice firsthand. Raja Tasleem Abbas Khan's legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and the legal principles he upheld with unwavering dedication.

May Almighty grant him the highest rank in paradise and give his family the patience and courage to bear his loss. Ameen!

• Author is LL.B 6^th Semester student at, School of Law, University of Kashmir. He can be reached at: [email protected]

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