The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Wednesday commenced regular hearings at its newly established Ladakh Bench in Leh, marking a significant step towards improving access to justice in the remote region.

Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar presided over the first regular Division Bench proceedings at the facility, located at an altitude of over 11,500 feet.

The proceedings adopted a hybrid format, with Chief Justice Bhati hearing matters virtually and Justice Parihar attending the Bench physically. After hearing five Division Bench matters, Justice Parihar heard 60 cases listed before the Single Bench.

Justice Parihar said the listing of 65 cases reflected the initial efforts to organise judicial proceedings for litigants from Ladakh.

The commencement of regular hearings is expected to reduce the burden on litigants from Leh, Kargil and other remote areas, who previously had to travel to Srinagar or Jammu to pursue matters before the High Court.

The Ladakh Bench was formally inaugurated by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on October 18.