LEH/JAMMU, Oct 17: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant will visit Ladakh on Sunday to inaugurate the newly constituted Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference, Kundra said the CJI would be accompanied by four Supreme Court judges, the Chief Justice of the High Court, other High Court judges and the Attorney General of India.
Describing the establishment of the bench as a significant step towards improving access to justice, Kundra said people in Ladakh would no longer have to travel to Jammu or Srinagar to file writ petitions before the High Court.
He said the bench had been established within two months and described it as an initiative of the Centre that had not been part of the demands raised during negotiations.
“Justice coming closer to the people is a very big thing,” Kundra said, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents due to Ladakh’s challenging terrain and geographical conditions.
The development comes amid ongoing negotiations between Ladakhi political leaders and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The leaders are seeking a Union Territory with a legislature and constitutional safeguards under Article 371.
Kundra said the Centre understood the challenges faced by people in the region and the importance of ensuring access to justice closer to their homes.