Ladakh High Court bench: CJI Surya Kant opens first permanent bench in Leh
Why in the news
On Sunday, 18 October 2026, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated a permanent bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh, the first such bench for the Union territory of Ladakh.
Key facts
- Inaugurated by: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, in Leh.
- Court: High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the common High Court for both Union territories.
- Legal route: the President promulgated a regulation on 27 August 2026 enabling the bench; it was to take effect from a date notified by the Administrator in the Official Gazette.
- In force: the Lieutenant Governor fixed 5 September 2026, and the regulation took effect that day.
- Attendance: Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, who called it a historic step towards accessible justice.
- Benefit: people seeking judicial relief, including through writ petitions, no longer need to go to Srinagar or Jammu.
About the initiative
Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the plan was put together within two months and was not among the demands raised by Ladakh’s representatives in their talks with the Centre; he described it as an initiative taken by the Government of India on its own. He compared it with the bench of the Gauhati High Court in Arunachal Pradesh, where one High Court serves more than one territory through a bench.
Exam angle
- Benches of a High Court bring justice closer to remote regions without creating a new High Court.
- Remember the dates: regulation promulgated 27 August, in force 5 September, bench inaugurated 18 October 2026.
- Key names: CJI Surya Kant; Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena; Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra.