Srinagar: Shabir Ahmad Malik, 28, who cracked the prestigious Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (JKCS) [Judicial] exam of 2017, says his only role model is his father.
Malik, a native of Tumberhama Tangmarg, who along with 10 others from Jammu and Kashmir qualified the said exam says: “I studied in government schools up to 12th class and then in 2007 I got admission in Delhi’s Lloyd Law College where I completed BA-LLB in 2012.”
Malik said that he started practicing law in Jammu and Kashmir High Court and District Court Srinagar in 2013.
He cracked competitive exam in the second attempt. “Earlier, I passed prelims and mains and had appeared in the interview but was not selected. I worked very hard for my second attempt and with the grace of Almighty, I qualified it,” says Malik.
When asked what had motivated him to choose judiciary as his career, Malik says, “During my childhood I went to the court with my father who greeted a judge there. When I asked my father as why he greeted him, he told me that ‘he is a judge whom God himself has elevated to this honour’. It was from that day that I started developing interest in law.”
“I wanted my father to feel proud. I wanted similar kind of respect,” he adds.
“It was tough, but not impossible. I was a product of government school. If they (other students in Delhi) had to study for three hours I had to study for eight hours,” Malik recalls.
Malik believes that there are well-qualified teachers in government-run schools and students should utilize the ability of their teachers.
When asked how he would deal with this transition — of being lawyer and now a judge — Malik says, “Though it will take time, but I have been part of justice delivery system as a lawyer; so it would be easier for me.”
“My aim and basic objective would be to deliver the justice at any cost and on time,” he pledges.
A young man feels that courts are for the poor. “Most of us believe that courts are for the rich, but I believe courts are for the poor. If you are rich you can dominate a poor person outside and you don’t need to come to the court. But in case of a poor man, courts are the only recourse,” he adds.
Malik has a message for the young lawyers: “Firstly, wherever you are, put in your full efforts. You should fully utilise time with studies. Secondly, when you start your practice, do not stop studying.”
He also adds that the tremendous support he got from his family helped him in cracking the exam. “My father, mother, sisters, brothers and uncle always supported me. My brother would always tell me if I need anything I don’t need to worry. Also, my uncle Syed Zaffar Bukhari supported me a lot,” he says.
When asked, who his role model was, he says, “my father has been my role model from the very beginning of my preparation for JKCS.”
Malik, who received the news of his selection from his friend, says, “When my friend called me and said congratulations, I didn’t know how to react. It took me 2-3 minutes to realise that I have finally made it.”
A total of 1869 candidates had applied for the post of Munsiff and 538 candidates had appeared in all papers. Only 45 candidates were declared to have qualified for viva voice which was conducted in May 2018. Finally, only 11 people have qualified for the medical examination.
Among 11 candidates who qualified JKCS 2017, only three Shabir Ahmad Malik, Altaf Ahmed Mir of Kralgund Kupwara and Massarat Jabeen of Rozbal Charar-i-Sharief are from the Valley.
