Justice at doorsteps of Ladakhis; High Court Bench notified as Prez promulgates regulation
Leh, August 28;
In a move aimed at quick delivery of justice, the President Droupadi Murmu has promulgated a regulation of the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in Ladakh).
Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has welcomed the promulgation of the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026, by the President of India.
This enables the sitting of a Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh in the UT of Ladakh, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Ladakh.
The notification to this effect has been published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on August 27, 2026.
Saxena said the notification within just seven days of the Union Cabinet’s announcement reflects the Government of India’s commitment to addressing the long-standing aspirations of the people of Ladakh.
The Union Cabinet decision, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was taken on August 20 with the objective of significantly improving access to justice for citizens, particularly those living in the remote and far-flung areas of Ladakh.
L-G Saxena expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the historic decision.
“The prompt promulgation of the Regulation within a week of the Cabinet decision is a clear demonstration of the Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and Home Minister Amit Shah Ji for this historic step towards bringing the High Court closer to the people of Ladakh. For a geographically challenging region like Ladakh, access to justice cannot be separated from physical accessibility. This decision will substantially ease the difficulties faced by our people in accessing higher judicial remedies and will strengthen their faith in our justice delivery system. It is an important step towards ensuring that the people of Ladakh have easier, faster and more accessible access to justice,” said Saxena.
For the people of Ladakh, the provision is particularly significant, given the geographical challenges and the considerable distance involved in travelling outside the Union Territory for judicial proceedings.
The availability of High Court sittings in Ladakh will substantially reduce the time, travel and associated expenses involved in accessing higher judicial remedies.
It will make the justice delivery system more accessible to ordinary citizens, litigants, advocates and other stakeholders, while strengthening their access to constitutional and legal remedies closer to their homes.