(file photo)Union Home Minister Amit Shah
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The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh, a move aimed at bringing the higher judiciary closer to litigants in the remote Himalayan Union Territory.Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision in a post on X on Thursday saying the new bench would significantly improve access to justice for people living in remote parts of Ladakh by reducing the time needed to access legal services.The decision comes nearly seven years after Ladakh was carved out as a separate Union Territory following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.The constitutional changes began on Aug. 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 subsequently created two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — with the reorganisation taking effect on Oct. 31 that year.While Ladakh became a separate Union Territory, the High Court continued as a common court for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with its two wings operating from Jammu and Srinagar.According to a High Court circular dated March 14, 2019, cases relating to Leh district were to be filed, heard and decided in the Jammu wing of the High Court, while matters relating to Kargil district were to be filed, heard and decided in the Srinagar wing.travelling outsideFor litigants from Ladakh, this meant travelling outside the Union Territory to pursue proceedings before the High Court. The Cabinet’s decision will now bring High Court proceedings closer to litigants in Ladakh, potentially reducing the need for lengthy travel to Jammu or Srinagar.Shah said the government remained committed to the all-round development of Ladakh and to ensuring constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.Published on August 20, 2026
