Cabinet approves High court bench for Ladakh

• The Union Cabinet has decided to establish a High Court bench in Ladakh.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision saying the bench of Jammu & Kashmir High Court would significantly enhance access to justice for people living in the remote and geographically challenging areas of Ladakh by reducing the time required to get legal services.

• The establishment of a High Court bench is expected to address a long-standing demand for easier and faster access to the higher judiciary for people in Ladakh.

How a permanent bench of High Court is established?

• High Court benches are established in accordance with the recommendations made by the Jaswant Singh Commission and judgment pronounced by the Supreme Court in 2000 and after due consideration of a complete proposal from the state government which has to provide necessary expenditure & infrastructural facilities and the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court who is required to look after the day-to-day administration of the High Court. 

• The complete proposal should also have the consent of the Governor of the concerned state.

• Requests for establishment of High Court benches in places other than the Principal Seat of High Court have been received from various organisations from time to time. 

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)