CJI Surya Kant Opens India’s Highest High Court Bench in Leh, Says Judiciary Has ‘Crossed Passes’ to Reach Ladakh

CJI Surya Kant Inaugurates Ladakh High Court Bench in Leh, Operations to Begin October 21

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated the Ladakh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in Leh, marking a significant step towards improving access to justice for people in the Union Territory. The new bench is scheduled to begin functioning on October 21.

President Droupadi Murmu had promulgated a regulation on August 28 permitting the establishment of a separate High Court bench in Leh, bringing judicial services closer to residents who often face difficulties travelling long distances to attend court proceedings.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, CJI Surya Kant highlighted the importance of making justice accessible to people in geographically remote regions.

“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 establishment of the bench reflected the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for all.

Ladakh Bench to Initially Hear Cases Twice a Week

Officials said 75 cases have initially been identified for listing before the new bench. Proceedings will be conducted two days a week in the initial phase, with judges hearing cases on a rotational basis.

The inaugural sitting, scheduled for October 21, will comprise Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar.

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

CJI Highlights Benefits for Ladakh’s Litigants

CJI Surya Kant noted that the new bench, situated at an altitude of approximately 3,500 metres, would be the highest High Court bench in the country.

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

The proposed arrangement is intended to reduce the time, travel and financial expenses incurred by litigants from Ladakh who need to travel to New Delhi to pursue their cases.

The CJI expressed hope that establishing a separate bench would also inspire young people in Ladakh to consider law as a profession and contribute to the region’s legal community.

Background: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court

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

The inauguration of the Leh bench is intended to bring judicial services closer to Ladakh’s residents, particularly those who face geographical and logistical challenges in accessing courts outside the region.