Move to improve access to justice for UT people: Shah
New Delhi, August 20: The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday approved the establishment of a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh, in a major decision aimed at improving access to justice for people living in the Union Territory.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision in a post on social media platform X, stating that the move would significantly enhance access to legal services for citizens residing in remote areas of Ladakh.
“The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of the PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has decided to set up a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh,” Shah said.
He said the establishment of the bench would reduce the time and difficulties faced by people of Ladakh in accessing legal services to which they are entitled.
At present, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh functions through its principal seats at Srinagar and Jammu.
With the establishment of a bench in Ladakh, the High Court will have a dedicated judicial presence in the Union Territory, bringing legal services closer to the people and reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for court-related matters.
The decision is expected to particularly benefit people living in remote and geographically difficult areas of Ladakh, where distance and harsh terrain can create challenges in accessing judicial institutions.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government remains committed to the all-round development of Ladakh and to ensuring constitutional safeguards for the people of the Union Territory.
The decision to establish the High Court bench is being viewed as an important step towards strengthening institutional access and ensuring that citizens in Ladakh can avail themselves of legal remedies more conveniently. The move is also expected to strengthen the judicial infrastructure in the Union Territory and provide residents with greater access to justice closer to their homes. (KNC)
