LEH, OCT 18: In a historic milestone for the administration of justice in the Union Territory of Ladakh, Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India on Sunday inaugurated the newly established Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Melongthang, Leh.

The establishment of the Bench marks a significant step towards bringing justice closer to the people of Ladakh, particularly those residing in remote and far-flung areas, by reducing the hardships, time and expenditure involved in travelling to Srinagar or Jammu for judicial proceedings.
Addressing the gathering, CJI Kant emphasised the role of technology and legal aid in ensuring access to justice in Ladakh and appreciated the e-initiatives launched to overcome geographical barriers.
As part of the inauguration, the CJI launched four major initiatives, including the Green Wall, the e-Filing Portal, the Document Management System (DMS) for the Ladakh Bench and the Online Recruitment Portal of the High Court.
The e-Filing Portal will enable advocates and litigants to file cases electronically without travelling to the court, while the DMS will facilitate the digital management of judicial records. The Online Recruitment Portal is aimed at promoting transparency, accessibility and efficiency in recruitment in the High Court and District Judiciary.
The Ladakh Bench will function as a fully IT-enabled, paperless court equipped with modern digital infrastructure. The court complex houses a dedicated Digitisation Centre, Filing Counter, Bar Room, Litigants' Sitting Area, Conference Room and Video Conferencing Room to facilitate efficient and technology-driven judicial functioning.
Justice Surya Kant also virtually inaugurated the Green Wall initiative, symbolising the judiciary's commitment to environmental conservation. The initiative was marked by the presentation of planters to dignitaries and the screening of a short video.
The CJI also initiated work for the installation of solar power systems at 11 locations, reinforcing the judiciary's commitment to renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, in his welcome address, said access to justice had been the guiding principle behind the establishment of the Ladakh Bench. He described the establishment of a constitutional court in one of the highest-altitude regions of the world as a historic milestone in bringing justice closer to people living in remote and geographically challenging areas.
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena termed the establishment of the Bench a historic milestone in strengthening access to justice in the region. He also highlighted the significance of the Green Wall initiative in promoting environmental conservation and ecological sustainability.
Supreme Court Judges Justices M. M. Sundresh, P. S. Narasimha and Arun Palli, along with Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani, also addressed the gathering.
The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court Judges Justices Sundresh, Narasimha and Palli, Lieutenant Governor Saxena, Chief Justice Bhati, High Court Judges Justices Sanjeev Kumar, Sindhu Sharma and Rajnesh Oswal, and Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kumar Kundra.
Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Justice Tashi Rabstan, other High Court judges accompanied by their spouses, the Director General of Police, Law Secretary, Administrative Secretaries and senior officers of the Army, civil administration, police and other departments of Ladakh were also present.
Officers of the High Court Registry, headed by Registrar General M. K. Sharma, Additional and Deputy Solicitors General of India, and presidents of the Bar Associations of Leh and Kargil also attended the ceremony.
Upon his arrival, the CJI was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour, following which he unveiled the inauguration plaque. A group photograph was taken, followed by a guided tour of the court complex.
The formal proceedings commenced with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by the welcome address by Justice Bhati. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kumar Kundra, followed by the National Song and National Anthem.
A Ceremonial Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, presided over by Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, was held at Leh today to commemorate the historic inauguration of the Ladakh Bench, marking a significant milestone in bringing constitutional justice closer to the people of the union Territory.