CJI Surya Kant Inaugurates Ladakh Bench of High Court in Leh, Launches Digital Court Initiatives

October 19, 2026

Leh: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the newly established Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh at Melongthang in Leh, marking a significant development in access to justice in the Union Territory.

The establishment of the Bench is expected to ease the difficulties faced by residents of Ladakh, particularly those living in remote and far-flung areas, who have had to travel to Srinagar or Jammu for judicial proceedings. The new facility aims to reduce the time, travel and expenses involved in accessing court services.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges Justice M. M. Sundresh, Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Arun Palli; Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani; Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena; and Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sindhu Sharma and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, judges of the High Court, were also present, along with Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kumar Kundra.

Former Chief Justice of the High Court Justice Tashi Rabstan attended the event, along with other High Court judges and their spouses. The gathering also included the Director General of Police, Law Secretary, administrative secretaries, senior officials from the Army, civil administration, police and other departments of Ladakh.

Officers of the High Court Registry, led by Registrar General M. K. Sharma, Additional Solicitors General of India, Deputy Solicitors General of India and the presidents of the Bar Associations of Leh and Kargil also attended the ceremony.

CJI Receives Guard of Honour, Unveils Inauguration Plaque

Upon his arrival, CJI Surya Kant was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour before unveiling the inauguration plaque. A group photograph was taken, followed by a guided tour of the court complex.

The formal proceedings began with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by a welcome address by Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

In his address, Justice Bhati said that improving access to justice had been the guiding principle behind the establishment of the Ladakh Bench. He described the creation of a constitutional court in one of the world’s highest-altitude regions as a historic milestone, particularly for people living in geographically challenging and remote parts of the Union Territory.

He also acknowledged the leadership of the Chief Justice of India in advancing the initiative to bring judicial services closer to the people of Ladakh.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena described the establishment of the Bench as an important step towards strengthening access to justice in the region. He also highlighted the significance of environmental conservation and ecological sustainability in Ladakh.

Justice M. M. Sundresh, Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice Arun Palli of the Supreme Court, along with Attorney General R. Venkataramani, also addressed the gathering.

E-Filing Portal and Digital Record System Launched

A major highlight of the ceremony was the launch of four initiatives by the Chief Justice of India: the Green Wall project, the e-Filing Portal, the Document Management System (DMS) for the Ladakh Bench and the Online Recruitment Portal of the High Court.

The e-Filing Portal will allow advocates and litigants to file cases electronically, reducing the need to travel to court simply to submit documents. The facility is expected to be particularly useful for people living in remote areas, where reaching judicial institutions can involve long journeys.

The Document Management System will facilitate the digital management of judicial records, supporting more efficient handling and storage of court documents.

The Online Recruitment Portal is intended to streamline recruitment in the High Court and District Judiciary, making the process more accessible and promoting transparency and administrative efficiency.

These digital facilities form part of the effort to strengthen technology-enabled judicial services and address geographical barriers that can make access to justice difficult in Ladakh.

Ladakh Bench to Function as a Paperless Court

The newly established Bench is designed to function as a fully IT-enabled, paperless court, equipped with modern digital infrastructure.

The court complex includes a dedicated Digitisation Centre, Filing Counter, Bar Room, Litigants’ Sitting Area, Conference Room and Video Conferencing Room. These facilities are intended to support efficient court operations, digital record management and technology-driven judicial proceedings.

The availability of video conferencing and digital filing facilities is particularly significant for a region where difficult terrain and long distances can complicate travel for litigants and legal professionals.

In his presidential address, CJI Surya Kant emphasised the importance of technology and legal aid in ensuring access to justice in Ladakh. He appreciated the digital initiatives introduced to help overcome geographical challenges and improve the delivery of judicial services.

Green Wall and Solar Power Projects Highlight Sustainability

The Chief Justice of India also virtually inaugurated the Green Wall initiative, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to environmental conservation.

The initiative was marked by the presentation of planters to dignitaries and the screening of a short video. Lieutenant Governor Saxena also highlighted the importance of the project in promoting ecological sustainability in Ladakh.

In another step towards sustainable infrastructure, CJI Surya Kant initiated work for the installation of solar power systems at 11 locations. The initiative reinforces the focus on renewable energy and the adoption of more sustainable infrastructure within the judicial system.

New Bench Marks a Significant Step for Ladakh’s Judiciary

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kumar Kundra, followed by the National Song and National Anthem.

The inauguration of the Ladakh Bench, together with the launch of digital court services and infrastructure initiatives, marks a significant development in the judicial history of the Union Territory.

The new Bench and its technology-enabled facilities are intended to make judicial services more accessible, improve administrative efficiency and reduce the burden on people who have had to travel long distances for court proceedings. The initiatives also reflect a broader focus on digital access, legal aid and sustainable infrastructure.

For residents of Ladakh, particularly those in remote areas, the establishment of the Bench represents an important step towards reducing geographical barriers and bringing judicial services closer to the communities they serve.