5 days ago
President Murmu Clears Way for High Court Sittings in Ladakh
President Droupadi Murmu approved a new rule for High Court hearings in Ladakh.
The rule lets judges hold some hearings inside Ladakh.
This may make it easier for people there to take part in court cases.
The Chief Justice will choose the place for the hearings.
Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor must approve that place.
The High Court’s main seat will not be moved.
Some cases can still be sent to Srinagar or Jammu.
The rule does not start immediately.
Ladakh’s Administrator must first announce a start date in the Official Gazette.
President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Ladakh High Court sitting regulation on August 27, 2026.
The regulation allows judges and Division Courts of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to hold sittings within Ladakh.
The Chief Justice will select the sitting location, subject to approval from Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor.
The principal seat remains unchanged, and the Chief Justice may direct Ladakh cases to be heard in Srinagar or Jammu.
The arrangement will begin only after Ladakh’s Administrator issues a separate Official Gazette notification.
- Who
- President Droupadi Murmu, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor and Administrator.
- What
- A regulation creates a legal framework for the common High Court to hold sittings in Ladakh.
- Where
- Sittings may be held at a location within Ladakh, while cases may also be heard in Srinagar or Jammu.
- When
- The regulation was promulgated on August 27, 2026; its operational date will be notified separately.
- Why
- The measure is intended to bring High Court proceedings closer to litigants in Ladakh and improve access to justice.
Key facts
- Regulation
- Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026
- Promulgation date
- August 27, 2026
- Constitutional basis
- Article 240 of the Constitution
- Statutory basis
- Section 58(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
- Location authority
- The Chief Justice chooses the sitting location, subject to approval by Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor
- Alternative venues
- The Chief Justice may direct individual cases or categories of Ladakh cases to Srinagar or Jammu
- Commencement
- A separate notification by Ladakh’s Administrator in the Official Gazette is required
- Principal seat
- The existing principal seat of the High Court remains unchanged
Sources
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