Leh, Oct 18 A ceremonial bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was held here on Sunday to mark the Ladakh Bench’s historic inauguration by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, a significant step towards bringing justice closer to the people of the Union Territory, an official spokesman said.
The ceremonial bench was presided over by Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, the spokesman said.
He said judges of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh including 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 also graced the ceremonial bench.
Addressing the ceremonial bench, Justice Bhati described the establishment of the Ladakh Bench as the realization of a decades-long aspiration for accessible, inclusive and equitable justice.
He said the people of Ladakh had long endured difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions and substantial travel expenses to pursue their cases at Srinagar and Jammu.
The establishment of a permanent bench would ensure that geographical isolation no longer translated into judicial exclusion, Justice Bhati said.
He expressed profound gratitude to the CJI for his visionary leadership and acknowledged the collective efforts of the Union government, the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Union Territory administration in translating this historic initiative into reality within a short span.
He emphasized the responsibility of the bench and the bar to uphold constitutional values, safeguard the rights of vulnerable sections and preserve Ladakh’s fragile environment.
Expressing optimism about the future, the chief justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh envisioned the Ladakh Bench as a beacon of fairness, truth and timely justice for generations to come.
Deputy Solicitor General of India, Jammu Wing, Vishal Sharma described the establishment of the Ladakh Bench as a reaffirmation of the constitutional promise of accessible justice, strengthening the rule of law and bringing constitutional remedies closer to the people.
Deputy Solicitor General of India, Srinagar Wing, Tahir Majid Shamsi traced the evolution of judicial institutions in Ladakh since 2019 and observed that regular judicial sittings, digital facilities and legal aid would substantially alleviate the hardships faced by litigants.
President of Bar Association, Leh, Gonbo Stobgyal termed the occasion the fulfilment of a long-cherished aspiration of the people of Ladakh and assured the fullest cooperation of the bar in the effective administration of justice.
President of Bar Association, Kargil, Reyaz Ahmad Khan described the establishment of the Ladakh Bench as a historic milestone and acknowledged the sustained efforts of the judicial leadership in bringing justice closer to the people.
On the occasion, the full court adopted a resolution emphasizing the need to promote access to education and provide safe, accessible and affordable residential facilities for girl students in Ladakh, particularly those living in remote and far-flung areas.
Recognizing the challenges of geographical remoteness, long travel distances and inadequate accommodation, the full court called for enhanced legal awareness and coordinated efforts among educational institutions, legal services authorities and other stakeholders to ensure equal educational opportunities.
The resolution also requested the Regular Bench to take further action in the matter, the spokesman said.
(PTI News)
