Justice at Doorstep: High Court Sitting Bench Established in Leh
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra hails the historic setup of a High Court sitting bench in Leh, bringing justice closer to local citizens.
In a move described as a historic milestone for the judicial landscape of the Union Territory, a sitting bench of the High Court is being established in Leh. This landmark development, hailed by Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, aims to bring justice closer to the people of Ladakh, eliminating the grueling travel and financial burdens previously faced by local citizens seeking legal redress.
A High-Profile Inauguration
The significance of this event is underscored by the presence of India's most senior legal minds. Chief Secretary Kundra announced that the inauguration will be attended by a high-profile judicial delegation, including the Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant, along with four other Supreme Court judges.
Joining them will be the Chief Justice and judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, as well as the Attorney General of India, R Venkataramani. Kundra emphasized the magnitude of the occasion, stating, "It is a big thing."
Ending the Long Journey for Justice
For years, the residents of Ladakh faced immense hardships when pursuing legal matters. To file writ petitions or attend High Court proceedings, citizens were forced to undertake long and arduous journeys to Jammu or Srinagar. The establishment of the sitting bench in Leh fundamentally changes this dynamic, ensuring that legal services are now available right at their doorstep.
"Bringing justice closer to the people is a very significant step. If someone is aggrieved and wants to file a writ petition, they would otherwise have to travel to Srinagar or Jammu. The fact that this is now possible in Leh is an extremely positive development," said Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra.
A Rare Feat in Judicial History
Chief Secretary Kundra pointed out that the creation of a sitting bench in this manner is an exceptional occurrence in modern Indian judicial history. He noted that in the last 40 years, such a setup has been rare, drawing a parallel only to the expansion of the Guwahati High Court benches in northeastern states, specifically Arunachal Pradesh.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the speed of execution. The entire administrative and judicial framework for the bench was completed within a remarkably short window of just two months.
The Path Since 2019
Since Ladakh was designated as a Union Territory in 2019, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has held jurisdiction over the region. While circuit benches had periodically visited the area in the past, they provided only temporary relief. The transition to a dedicated sitting bench marks a monumental shift toward a permanent and accessible judicial infrastructure for the high-altitude region.