Leh, August 22, 2026: In a significant step towards bringing the justice delivery system closer to the 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 Saturday.

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

At the beginning of the proceedings, the Hon’ble Members were accorded a traditional welcome with Khataks by Secretary, Law, Shri Qureshi Tariq Mahmood, along with staff members of the Department, on behalf of the UT Administration.

Over 32 Cases Heard

During the Circuit Sitting, the Bench heard more than 32 cases pertaining to applicants and petitioners from the Union Territory of Ladakh. Appropriate relief was also granted in a number of cases in accordance with law.

The proceedings were attended by a large number of advocates, counsels, applicants, petitioners and other stakeholders, who appreciated the opportunity to participate in Tribunal proceedings at Leh itself.

Justice Brought Closer to the People

The Circuit Sitting was widely appreciated as an important initiative to facilitate access to justice for the people of Ladakh. Due to the region’s difficult geographical terrain and the considerable distance between Ladakh and Jammu, litigants often face significant expenditure on travel and accommodation besides losing valuable time.

Holding the proceedings at Leh substantially reduced these difficulties and allowed litigants to present their cases within the Union Territory. Advocates and litigants particularly appreciated the arrangement for saving time, expenditure and inconvenience.

Administrative Arrangements Appreciated

The successful conduct of the Circuit Sitting was facilitated by close coordination and logistical arrangements made by the Housing & Protocol Department and the Department of Law and Justice, UT Ladakh.

The arrangements were undertaken under the overall supervision and guidance of Shri Qureshi Tariq Mahmood, Consultant/Secretary, Department of Law and Justice, with coordinated efforts by officers and staff of the concerned departments.

The Hon’ble Members of CAT appreciated the effective management, coordination and arrangements that ensured the smooth conduct of proceedings and facilitated the participation of litigants, advocates and other stakeholders.

The Circuit Sitting at Leh marks another significant step towards ensuring accessible, affordable and citizen-centric justice for the people of Ladakh, while reducing the geographical and logistical barriers faced by litigants seeking judicial remedies.