Idrees Bukhtiyar
Srinagar, May 20: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ordered a series of austerity and administrative measures, including promotion of virtual hearings, suspension of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) facilities, and virtual conduct of official meetings and training programmes, in view of concerns over rising crude oil prices and energy security.
According to a circular issued by the office of the Registrar General at Srinagar on Wednesday, the directions have been adopted in response to the nationwide call for measures relating to “Economic Self-Defence” and will remain in force until further orders.
As per the circular, with effect from May 21, 2026, the High Court will encourage virtual hearings and virtual appearance of advocates, subject to observance of the decorum and protocols prescribed for online proceedings.
The circular further stated that during the summer vacation period commencing from June 8, 2026, the nominated Vacation Benches will conduct proceedings through virtual mode. However, advocates unable to participate through video conferencing due to unavoidable reasons may appear physically before the court wherever it is functioning physically.
In another major decision, the High Court has directed that no physical administrative inspections or visits to districts shall be undertaken until further orders. All administrative meetings are to be held virtually.
The High Court has also suspended the LTC facility for judicial officers and High Court staff, except in cases where it has already been sanctioned. However, it clarified that for every month during which the LTC facility remains unavailable, the corresponding LTC block period would be extended by one month.
The circular also directed the Judicial Academy to discontinue physical training programmes. All workshops, orientation sessions, training programmes and other academic activities will now be conducted exclusively in virtual mode.
Additionally, officers of the Registry have been advised to pool official transport facilities wherever feasible in order to minimise fuel consumption and ensure optimal use of government resources.
The circular was issued under the authority of Registrar General M K Sharma.
