Kashmir Impulse Desk
Leh, Oct 18
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated the Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh, a move aimed at reducing the burden on litigants who have had to travel long distances to pursue cases.
The bench, located at Melongthang, is scheduled to begin hearing cases on October 21. The High Court has identified 75 cases for the initial proceedings, to be heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar.
The inauguration marks a significant expansion of judicial access in Ladakh, where difficult terrain, harsh weather and long journeys have added to the cost of seeking legal remedies.
“Access to justice, after all, begins not in the Court’s compound, but at the litigant’s door,” Surya Kant said, highlighting the need to make judicial services accessible to people in remote areas.
He said technology, legal aid and e-Sewa Kendras could help overcome geographical barriers. The Supreme Court would also seek to facilitate hearings of matters originating in Ladakh through video conferencing, allowing lawyers from Leh and Kargil to appear without travelling to New Delhi, once the necessary facilities were available.
Paperless court and digital services
The chief justice launched an e-filing portal and document management system for the Ladakh Bench, along with an online recruitment portal for the High Court.
The new bench is designed to operate as a fully technology-enabled, paperless court, with facilities including a digitisation centre, filing counter and video-conferencing room.
Surya Kant also initiated work on solar power installations at 11 locations and virtually launched a Green Wall initiative focused on environmental conservation.
Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the establishment of the bench, saying it would reduce travel costs and make judicial services more accessible to residents.
The Union government approved the establishment of the bench in August, and the High Court designated Leh as its sitting venue on October 5.
During the ceremonial proceedings, the High Court’s full court adopted a resolution calling for better access to education and safe, affordable accommodation for female students, particularly those from remote parts of Ladakh.
The resolution cited geographical isolation, long travel distances and inadequate residential facilities as barriers to educational opportunities. It called for greater legal awareness and coordination among educational institutions, legal services authorities and other stakeholders.
The full court asked the regular bench to take further action on the matter.
Judicial officials and representatives of the Leh and Kargil bar associations said the new bench would help bring constitutional remedies closer to residents and reduce the disadvantages caused by the region’s isolation.
