SACRAMENTO (Diya TV) — California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Raj Singh Badhesha as the newest judge on the Fresno County Superior Court. Badhesha, who currently serves as Chief Assistant City Attorney in Fresno, becomes the first Sikh to join the Fresno County bench, marking a historic moment for the Central Valley’s Indian American Punjabi community.
City Attorney Andrew Janz praised Badhesha, saying, “Raj has been an instrumental part of my management team because of his broad-based knowledge of various aspects of the law and his ability to deal with sensitive situations with tact and poise. When I was appointed City Attorney, he quickly became my closest advisor and made my transition seamless. Raj has all the qualities one hopes to find in a judge; he is open-minded, thoughtful, deliberate, well-researched, and diplomatic. While his departure is a big loss for the City of Fresno, he is the perfect individual to serve Fresno County and the State of California with honesty and integrity.”
Badhesha expressed his gratitude and commitment in a statement, saying, “I would like to thank Governor Gavin Newsom for having confidence in my ability to serve as a Fresno County Superior Court judge. After years of dedicated service to the Fresno community, including invaluable experience in the Fresno City Attorney’s Office and extensive volunteer work, I am honored to be appointed. My commitment to justice, coupled with my understanding of the legal system and the needs of our community, has prepared me to serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion. I am proud to represent a segment of our community that we don’t often see on the bench and appreciate the Governor’s commitment to diversity.”
A Selma, California native, Badhesha’s legal career began after earning his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). He worked as an associate at Baker Manock & Jensen from 2008 to 2012 before joining the Fresno City Attorney’s Office. He has held various roles in the office since 2012 and has served as Chief Assistant since 2022. Badhesha fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jon N. Kapetan.
His appointment is not only significant for his professional achievements but also for his cultural heritage. Badhesha is the first Sikh appointee in California who wears a turban. Approximately 70,000 Sikhs live in Fresno County.
City Attorney Andrew Janz highlighted Badhesha’s exceptional qualities, stating, “Raj is open-minded, thoughtful, deliberate, well-researched, and diplomatic. His broad legal experience and expertise are significant losses for the City of Fresno, but he is undoubtedly the right person to serve Fresno County and the State of California with honesty and integrity.”
Badhesha’s appointment is Governor Newsom’s 14th in Fresno County, bringing the number of filled bench seats to 46 out of 47. The governor still needs to fill the seat left by retired Judge Timothy Kams.
