President Droupadi Murmu has approved a regulation establishing a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, paving the way for greater access to higher judicial remedies in the region. The regulation was promulgated on August 27 and published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on the same day.

Titled the ‘Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of the Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026’, the measure was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. It seeks to address the long-standing demand for high court sittings within Ladakh, particularly for residents of geographically remote and far-flung areas.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the President’s approval and noted that the notification was issued within seven days of the Union Cabinet’s decision. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, describing the move as an important step towards bringing higher judicial services closer to the people of Ladakh.

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The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, had approved the proposal on August 20 to enable sittings of a High Court bench in Ladakh. The move is expected to reduce the time, travel and expenses involved for litigants who currently need to travel outside the Union Territory to pursue matters before the High Court.

Under the regulation, the principal seat of the common High Court will continue at its existing location. However, judges and divisions of the High Court may hold sittings at locations within Ladakh designated by the Chief Justice, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor. The Chief Justice may also direct certain cases arising in Ladakh to be heard at Jammu or Srinagar.

The regulation will extend across the Union Territory of Ladakh and come into force on a date notified by the Administrator in the Official Gazette. The establishment of regular High Court sittings in Ladakh is expected to improve access to constitutional and legal remedies for residents, litigants, advocates and other stakeholders across the geographically challenging region.

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