CJI Surya Kant Visits Leh; Inaugurates Key Judicial Infrastructure

The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, arrived in Leh on March 27, 2026 for an official visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh. CJI Kant was accorded a warm reception by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, along with other Judges of the High Court.

Chief Justice of India was presented with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, followed by a traditional welcome showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh. CJI inaugurated the newly constructed District Court Complexes at Leh and Kargil, along with the office of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority, which will ensure enhanced access to justice with state-of-the-art facilities.

During his visit, a Mega Legal Services Camp and Awareness Programme was also being organised as part of the visit, aimed at enhancing legal awareness and outreach among the local population.

Inaugurating district court complexes in remote and strategically important Leh, Kargil and post interactions with Army personnel, Chief Justice of India termed it as a transformative step towards ensuring equal access to justice for all citizens. He emphasized that “such initiatives reflect the commitment of the Indian judiciary to make the Constitution meaningful and accessible in every corner of the country, including geographically challenging regions.”

CJI Kant also emphasized on the importance of bringing judicial services to the "nook and corner" of the country, ensuring that people in remote regions have the same access to justice as those in cities. He also referred to the sacrifices made during the Kargil War, noting that places like Tiger Hill and Tololing have become enduring symbols of courage and national resolve.

Chief Justice Surya Kant also spoke about the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, a scheme launched last year during his tenure as Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. As per the Yojana, in an unprecedented step, legal assistance is being provided proactively to the families of soldiers. The new initiative was aimed at relieving Indian soldiers from the domestic legal burdens while they serve in harsh terrains and far-flung regions.

Providing details on the scheme's progress, the Chief Justice stated that as of December 31, 2025, nearly 14,929 beneficiaries had been assisted under the programme. He noted that a nationwide network of 438 legal services clinics had been established, including clinics across all Rajya Sainik Boards and hundreds of district-level Sainik Boards, supported by a workforce of more than 1,100 legal aid personnel. Of the 1,123 members of the legal aid workforce, 378 are drawn from defence backgrounds, including 299 para-legal volunteers.

Emphasizing the importance of robust judicial infrastructure, the Chief Justice observed that court complexes are not merely physical structures but institutions that must embody empathy, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. He also underscored that accessibility to justice must not be impeded by geographical barriers and noted that the newly inaugurated District Court Complex at Leh, along with the New Court Complex at Kargil, would substantially bridge this gap. “Whoever wants legal help we are there to help, people in Leh, Ladakh and Kargil live together with love so whenever any dispute arises, mediation will be easy. Judges should act with compassion while public should have faith in justice delivery system,” CJI added.