In a significant step towards improving access to justice for people of the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Jammu Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) held a Circuit Sitting at the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre, Melongthang, Leh, on August 22.

The Circuit Bench was presided over by Ram Mohan Johri, Member (Judicial), and Diwakar Singh, Member (Administrative). The sitting was exclusively dedicated to cases involving applicants and petitioners from Ladakh, enabling them to pursue their grievances without travelling to Jammu.

During the sitting, the Bench heard more than 32 cases pertaining to applicants and petitioners from Ladakh and granted appropriate relief in several cases in accordance with law.

The proceedings were attended by advocates, counsels, applicants, petitioners and other stakeholders. Litigants and advocates appreciated the opportunity to participate in Tribunal proceedings in Leh, which reduced the inconvenience and expenses associated with travelling to Jammu.

The Circuit Sitting assumes significance given Ladakh’s challenging geographical terrain and the considerable distance from Jammu. Holding proceedings within the Union Territory enabled litigants to pursue their cases closer to home, saving time, travel expenses and other associated costs.

The initiative was welcomed as a practical step towards ensuring accessible, affordable and citizen-centric justice for the people of Ladakh.

The successful conduct of the sitting was facilitated through coordination and logistical arrangements by the Housing & Protocol Department and Department of Law and Justice, UT Ladakh. The arrangements were made under the overall supervision and guidance of Qureshi Tariq Mahmood, Consultant/Secretary, Department of Law and Justice, with coordinated efforts by officers and staff of the concerned departments.

Members of the CAT appreciated the arrangements and coordination extended by the concerned departments for the smooth conduct of the proceedings and participation of litigants, advocates and other stakeholders.

The Circuit Sitting in Leh marks another step towards bridging the geographical gap between justice institutions and the people of Ladakh. Such initiatives help reduce the financial and logistical burden on litigants while strengthening access to an efficient and citizen-centric justice delivery system.

The Department of Law and Justice, UT Ladakh, reiterated its commitment to providing necessary institutional and administrative support for judicial and quasi-judicial institutions in the Union Territory and ensuring convenient and dignified access to justice for the people of Ladakh.