LexQore | Legal News | October 18, 2026
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated the newly constituted Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh, marking a significant development in improving access to justice in the Union Territory.
The inauguration was attended by Supreme Court Justices M.M. Sundresh, P.S. Narasimha and Arun Palli, along with judges of the High Court. Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani and Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena were also present at the event.
High Court Proceedings to Begin on October 21
The newly established bench is scheduled to commence hearings on October 21, 2026. According to the announced schedule, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar is expected to hear five cases on the opening day.
Justice Sanjay Parihar is also scheduled to preside over a Single Bench on October 22 and 23. The High Court has identified a total of 75 cases for listing before the Ladakh Bench.
A Major Step Towards Access to Justice
The establishment of the Ladakh Bench is expected to reduce the difficulties faced by residents who previously had to travel to Jammu or Srinagar to access the High Court. Ladakh’s challenging terrain, harsh weather conditions and long travel distances have historically made access to judicial institutions difficult, particularly for people living in remote areas.
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra described the development as a significant step towards bringing justice closer to the people. He highlighted the practical importance of enabling residents to approach the High Court in Leh, including for matters such as writ petitions.
Background: Establishment of the Ladakh Bench
The Union Government approved the establishment of the Ladakh Bench in August 2026. The regulatory framework enabling the High Court to hold sittings in Ladakh came into effect on September 5, 2026, following a notification issued by the Lieutenant Governor.
On October 5, the High Court selected Leh as the location for its sittings in the Union Territory. Before this development, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh operated through its benches in Srinagar and Jammu. The new arrangement extends the Court’s presence to Ladakh while retaining its existing institutional structure.
Why It Matters
The inauguration represents an important step in strengthening judicial infrastructure in geographically challenging regions. By enabling High Court proceedings within Ladakh, the new bench may reduce travel-related expenses, logistical burdens and delays for litigants and legal practitioners.
It also underscores the importance of decentralising access to judicial institutions so that geographical isolation does not become an additional barrier for people seeking legal remedies.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the Ladakh Bench by CJI Surya Kant marks a significant milestone in the administration of justice in the Union Territory. With hearings scheduled to begin on October 21, the new bench is expected to make High Court services more accessible to residents of Ladakh.
LexQore will continue to cover important developments in Indian courts, judicial administration and access to justice.
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