Leh, Oct 18: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh held a ceremonial Full Court sitting in Leh on Sunday to mark the inauguration of the Ladakh Bench, aimed at bringing accessible and equitable justice closer to the people of the Union Territory.

The sitting was presided over by Chief Justice Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and attended by High Court judges, law officers, members of the Bar, judicial officers and senior officials of the Registry and Ladakh administration.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Solicitor General of India for Jammu Wing Vishal Sharma described the Bench as a reaffirmation of the constitutional promise of accessible justice and said it would strengthen the rule of law in the region.
Deputy Solicitor General for Srinagar Wing Tahir Majid Shamsi highlighted the evolution of judicial institutions in Ladakh since 2019, noting that regular sittings, digital facilities and legal aid services would ease difficulties faced by litigants.
Leh Bar Association president Gonbo Stobgyal and Kargil Bar Association president Reyaz Ahmad Khan welcomed the establishment of the Bench, describing it as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of Ladakh’s people.
Chief Justice Bhati said residents had long faced difficult terrain, harsh weather and high travel costs while pursuing cases in Srinagar and Jammu. The dedicated Bench, he said, would help ensure that geographical isolation did not become a barrier to justice.
He thanked Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant for his leadership and acknowledged the efforts of the Union Government, the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ladakh administration in making the initiative possible.
Emphasising the judiciary’s responsibility to uphold constitutional values, the Chief Justice called for protecting the rights of vulnerable sections and safeguarding Ladakh’s fragile environment. He expressed confidence that the Bench would strengthen public trust and ensure timely justice.
A key highlight of the sitting was the adoption of a Full Court resolution stressing the need for safe, accessible and affordable residential facilities for girl students, particularly those from remote areas of Ladakh.
The resolution noted that geographical isolation, long travel distances and inadequate accommodation could restrict educational opportunities for girls from far-flung villages. It called for greater legal awareness and coordinated efforts among educational institutions, legal services authorities and other stakeholders to ensure equal access to education.
The Full Court also requested the Regular Bench to take further action on the matter.
The sitting was attended by High Court judges Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Mohd Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani, Justice Sanjay Parihar, Justice Shahzad Azeem and Justice Yash Paul Bourney.
Additional Solicitors General of India Aishwarya Bhati and Archana Pathak Dave were also present.
Senior Registry officials included Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice; Rajeev Gupta, Registrar Vigilance; Umesh Sharma, Registrar Information Technology; Faizan-i-Nazar, Central Project Coordinator, eCourts; and Chemit Yurgal, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Kargil, who has been entrusted with overseeing the day-to-day affairs of the Ladakh Bench Registry.
Law Secretary, Ladakh, Jatinder Jamwal; Principal District and Sessions Judge, Leh, Spalzes Angmo; and Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kargil, Sheikh Gowhar Hussain, attended with their respective teams of judicial officers.
The proceedings were conducted by M.K. Sharma, Registrar General of the High Court.
The establishment of the Ladakh Bench marks an important step towards reducing geographical and financial barriers to justice. Its long-term impact will depend on regular sittings, adequate infrastructure, digital access and effective legal aid to ensure residents can pursue their cases without undertaking arduous journeys.
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