JAMMU: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir on Friday welcomed the Centre’s decision to establish a High Court Bench in Ladakh, describing it as a major step towards ensuring easier access to justice for residents of the Union Territory.
In a statement, BJP J&K spokesperson Advocate Parimoksh Seth said the decision reflected the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to strengthening access to justice and reducing the hardship faced by people of Ladakh who currently have to travel long distances for judicial proceedings.
Seth said that earlier, matters pertaining to Leh were filed and heard at the Jammu wing of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, while cases concerning Kargil were heard at the Srinagar wing.
He said the establishment of a High Court Bench in Ladakh would bring the justice delivery system closer to the people and described the move as being in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of responsive, accessible and people-centric governance.
According to Seth, the move would particularly benefit residents of remote and far-flung areas of Ladakh, including litigants, advocates and families who presently have to travel considerable distances in connection with court proceedings.
He claimed that more than 500 cases pertaining to the Union Territory of Ladakh are currently pending adjudication before the Jammu and Srinagar wings of the High Court.
“The establishment of a High Court Bench is not merely an administrative decision; it is a step towards empowering citizens by making justice more accessible, affordable and convenient,” Seth said.
The BJP spokesperson said the party welcomed the move wholeheartedly and appreciated the Centre for addressing what he termed a long-standing aspiration of the people of Ladakh.
Seth further said the initiative would strengthen judicial infrastructure in the Union Territory and contribute to the region’s overall development and empowerment.
He added that a new High Court building and related judicial infrastructure would also be developed in Ladakh, which, he said, would further benefit residents of the Union Territory.
