New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has promulgated a regulation enabling the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to hold sittings in the Union Territory of Ladakh, paving the way for litigants in the region to access the High Court closer to home.
The Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026 was promulgated on August 27 under Article 240 of the Constitution, read with Section 58(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
High Court Judges Can Now Hold Sittings In Ladakh
The regulation creates the legal framework for judges and Division Courts of the common High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to sit in Ladakh.
Under its provisions, the Chief Justice may designate a place in Ladakh where such sittings will be held, subject to the approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
The move is expected to reduce the need for litigants from Ladakh to travel to Jammu or Srinagar for High Court proceedings.
The regulation, however, does not change the existing principal seat of the High Court. It also gives the Chief Justice the power to direct that any particular case or category of cases arising from Ladakh be heard at Jammu or Srinagar.
What Is Article 240 Of The Constitution?
President Murmu exercised powers under Article 240 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to make regulations for the “peace, progress and good government” of certain Union Territories.
In Ladakh’s case, Article 240, read with provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, provides the constitutional and statutory basis for the regulation.
The power exercised under Article 240 is distinct from the President’s ordinance-making power under Article 123. While an ordinance under Article 123 can be promulgated when Parliament is not in session, regulations under Article 240 are not subject to the same requirement.
When Will Ladakh High Court Bench Become Operational?
Although the regulation has been promulgated, the High Court’s sittings in Ladakh will not begin immediately.
The notification states that the regulation will come into force on a date to be specified by the Administrator of the Union Territory of Ladakh through a separate notification in the Official Gazette.
Once operationalised, the arrangement will allow the common High Court to hold proceedings within Ladakh while retaining its existing institutional structure.
