Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has welcomed the promulgation of the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026, by the President of India. The regulation enables the sitting of a Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the Union Territory of Ladakh, fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people.

The notification to this effect was published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on August 27, 2026.

L-G Saxena said the notification, issued within just seven days of the Union Cabinet’s decision, reflects the Government of India’s commitment to addressing the long-standing aspirations of the people of Ladakh. The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal on August 20 with the objective of significantly improving access to justice for citizens, particularly those living in the remote and far-flung areas of Ladakh.

Saxena expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the historic decision.

“The prompt promulgation of the Regulation within a week of the Cabinet decision is a clear demonstration of the Government of India’s commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for this historic step towards bringing the High Court closer to the people of Ladakh,” Saxena said.

“For a geographically challenging region like Ladakh, access to justice cannot be separated from physical accessibility. This decision will substantially ease the difficulties faced by our people in accessing higher judicial remedies and will strengthen their faith in our justice delivery system. It is an important step towards ensuring that the people of Ladakh have easier, faster and more accessible access to justice,” he added.

For the people of Ladakh, the provision is particularly significant given the region’s geographical challenges and the considerable distances involved in travelling outside the Union Territory for judicial proceedings.

The availability of High Court sittings in Ladakh is expected to substantially reduce the time, travel and associated expenses involved in accessing higher judicial remedies. It will make the justice delivery system more accessible to ordinary citizens, litigants, advocates and other stakeholders, while strengthening their access to constitutional and legal remedies closer to their homes.