Leh, Oct 18: In a significant step towards strengthening access to justice in the Union Territory, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh, marking a historic milestone for the region’s judicial system.
The inauguration took place in the presence of judges of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice and other judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Welcoming the development, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh V.K. Saxena said the establishment of the Bench fulfils a long-standing demand of the people and will bring justice closer to their doorsteps. The move is expected to ease the burden of long-distance travel and related expenses for litigants who previously had to travel outside Ladakh for High Court-related proceedings.
The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted that the CJI’s successive visits to Ladakh within a span of six months reflect a continued focus on improving access to justice, particularly for communities living in remote and geographically challenging areas.
Saxena expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their guidance and support towards Ladakh’s development.
The inauguration marks an important development for Ladakh, with the new Bench expected to improve geographical access to the High Court and strengthen the delivery of justice in the region.
