'Historic': Raj Singh Badhesha becomes first Sikh judge in Fresno County Superior Court
PTC News Desk: Raj Singh Badhesha became Fresno County's first Sikh judge on Thursday evening, receiving his black robe in front of hundreds of community members and authorities at Fresno City Hall. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Badhesha's appointment on May 3.
The city attorney's office issued a statement, stating that Badhesha has been the chief assistant in the Fresno city attorney's office since 2022.
He has held many other positions in the CAO since 2012. He worked as an associate at Baker Manock & Jensen from 2008 to 2012. Badhesha received his juris doctorate from the University of California College of Law in San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). He fills the vacancy caused by the retirement of Judge Jon N Kapetan. Badhesha is the state's first Sikh appointee who wears the Sikh headdress known as dastar or pagri."
Badhesha thanked everyone who has helped him on his path, making this milestone possible.
“Wanting to be a judge and run a courtroom was something that I grew into because when I began my journey into law nearly two decades ago as a law student, a practising Sikh like myself could not gain admission into a courthouse. Let alone dream of donning a black robe and being a proverbial protector of the scales of justice. It is because of the wisdom and understanding of a few jurists, presiding judges and justices, that I was able to continue on this path,” he stated.
Congratulations to former Fresno Assistant City Attorney Raj Singh Badhesha on formally becoming the newest Fresno County Superior Judge!
Raj is the first person in more than four decades to go from City Hall straight to the Fresno County Superior Court. ????⚖️ pic.twitter.com/kRFwtI6f91 — City of Fresno (@CityofFresno) July 12, 2024
- PTC NEWS
