Leh approved as initial sitting place for High Court Bench in Ladakh

23/09/2026

Leh, Sep 22: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved Leh as the initial place of sitting for the Sitting Bench of the High Court of Jam-mu & Kashmir and Ladakh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The Registrar General of the High Court, in a communication dated September 15, 2026, conveyed the Chief Justice's recommendation to the Administration.
The recommendation to locate the initial sitting at Leh was based on judicial, administrative and infrastructural considerations, including the volume of litigation originating from Leh Division, its administrative importance and the availability of suitable infrastructure.
According to judicial data cited in the communication, 423 cases are pending from Ladakh, of which 252 originate from Leh Division. This accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the pending cases from the Union Territory.
The High Court observed that locating the initial sitting of the Bench at Leh would therefore serve the convenience of a larger share of litigants and legal professionals from the region.
The communication also noted that Leh is the administrative headquarters of Ladakh and houses LokNiwas, the Civil/Administrative Secretariat and principal offices of various government departments. Locating the Bench there would facilitate coordination in matters involving the Administration, including legal representation and responses from government authorities.
The High Court further noted that while permanent infrastructure for the Bench would be developed as part of long-term arrangements, suitable temporary infrastructure has already been identified in Leh. This would allow judicial functioning to commence without waiting for completion of permanent infrastructure.
Following the approval, the Department of Law and Justice, in coordination with the Deputy Commissioner, Leh, will make necessary administrative arrangements, including protocols, residential facilities for visiting judges and staff, and security arrangements.
The approval has been accorded under Section 2(2) of the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026 (No. 10 of 2026), promulgated by the President of India and brought into force with effect from September 5, 2026.

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty