Leh Gets India’s Highest High Court Bench as CJI Surya Kant Emphasises Access to Justice in Ladakh

CJI Surya Kant Opens Ladakh High Court Bench in Leh, Judicial Proceedings to Begin October 21

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated a separate bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Leh, bringing judicial services closer to residents of the Union Territory. The new bench is set to commence proceedings on October 21.

The establishment of the bench follows a regulation promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu on August 28, paving the way for a dedicated High Court bench in Ladakh.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, CJI Surya Kant underscored the importance of ensuring that geographical barriers do not prevent people from accessing justice.

“The High Court has today crossed the passes to reach Ladakh, instead of asking the people of Ladakh to cross the passes to reach it,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflected the judiciary’s commitment to expanding access to justice and making legal services more accessible to people living in remote areas.

75 Cases Identified for Initial Hearing

Officials said 75 cases have been identified for listing before the Ladakh bench during its initial phase. The bench will initially function two days a week, with judges hearing matters on a rotational basis.

The first sitting on October 21 will comprise Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar.

The inauguration was attended by Supreme Court Justices M M Sundresh and P S Narasimha, along with Justice Arun Palli. Other dignitaries included Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Attorney General for India R Venkataramani and Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena.

Supreme Court Plans Special Listing Arrangement for Ladakh Cases

CJI Surya Kant said the new bench, located at an altitude of around 3,500 metres, would be the highest High Court bench in the country.

He also announced that the Supreme Court would consider listing cases from Ladakh on a single day once suitable video-conferencing facilities were available for lawyers appearing before the bench.

The proposed arrangement aims to ease the burden on litigants who otherwise have to travel to New Delhi to pursue their cases, saving them considerable time and travel expenses.

The CJI also expressed hope that the new judicial facility would encourage young people in Ladakh to pursue careers in law and strengthen the region’s legal community.

High Court Renamed Following Jammu and Kashmir’s Reorganisation

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court was renamed the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court after the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and the division of the former state into two Union Territories in August 2019.

The opening of a separate bench in Leh marks a further step towards improving access to judicial services for Ladakh’s residents, many of whom face geographical and logistical challenges when travelling outside the region for court proceedings.