President Murmu Clears Way for Ladakh High Court Bench

President Droupadi Murmu promulgated the Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Ladakh) Regulation, 2026, on 27 August 2026. The regulation was issued under Article 240 of the Constitution and Section 58(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, to create a legal framework for High Court sittings in Ladakh.

Constitutional Basis

Article 240 of the Constitution empowers the President to make regulations for certain Union territories, including Ladakh. Section 58(2) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, provides the statutory basis for arrangements relating to the common High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

High Court Structure in Ladakh

The regulation permits Judges and Division Courts of the common High Court to sit in Ladakh at a venue chosen by the Chief Justice, subject to approval by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. The principal seat of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remains unchanged under the regulation.

The Chief Justice may also direct that any case or category of cases originating from Ladakh be heard at Jammu or Srinagar. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice published the regulation in the Gazette of India Extraordinary on 27 August 2026.

Administrative Process

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal on 20 August 2026. The regulation was framed to enable direct High Court sittings within Ladakh and to provide a statutory mechanism for case allocation and venue selection.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena welcomed the promulgation and referred to the regional demand for a bench in Ladakh. The regulation will come into force on a date to be separately notified by the Administrator of Ladakh in the Official Gazette.

Important Facts for Exams

• Article 240 of the Constitution applies to certain Union territories and allows the President to make regulations for them.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, reorganised the former State of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories.
• The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is the common High Court for both Union territories.
• The Gazette of India Extraordinary is used for urgent or special official notifications by the Government of India.