The Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, attended a Mega Camp and Awareness Programme on “Empowering Tribals through Legal Services and Defence Civil Action” at Rinchen Auditorium Hall, Leh, on March 28, Saturday. The programme was organised by the Ladakh Legal Services Authority in collaboration with 14 Corps of the Army. The event was attended by LG of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, several judges of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh High Court, besides 14 Corps GOC Lt. Gen. Hitesh Bhalla, senior officials of the UT Administration and others.
Addressing the gathering, CJI Surya Kant expressed gratitude to the people of Ladakh and the UT administration for the invitation. He described the inauguration of the District Court Complex at Leh and the establishment of the office of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority as significant milestones towards ensuring access to justice, particularly in a geographically vast and challenging region.
Emphasising the importance of robust judicial infrastructure, the CJI observed that court complexes are not merely physical structures but institutions that must embody empathy, compassion and an unwavering commitment to justice. He 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.
Noting that Scheduled Tribes (Sts) comprise more than 90 per cent of Ladakh’s population, the CJI lauded the community for preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the region. He also commended the Indian Army for its commendable dual role in safeguarding the nation’s borders and contributing to the socio-economic development of the region through initiatives in education, healthcare and community welfare.
Highlighting the role of paralegal volunteers, he emphasised their importance as a bridge between the legal system and the people, particularly in communicating in local languages and understanding cultural contexts. He called for greater outreach through legal aid camps in remote areas and stressed that legal services must extend beyond courtrooms to facilitate access to welfare schemes, pensions and essential documentation.
The CJI further underlined that the true essence of justice lies in instilling confidence in the legal system among the poorest and most marginalised sections of society. Encouraging the adoption of mediation as an effective dispute resolution mechanism, he appreciated the traditional practices of the people of Ladakh in resolving disputes amicably through dialogue. He urged the Ladakh Legal Services Authority to strengthen mediation frameworks through capacity-building and training initiatives.
On the occasion, he unveiled the Annual Newsletter 2025 of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority. During the visit, the CJI also interacted with participants and visited stalls set up by Self-Help Groups(SHGs) under the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission and the Handloom Department, appreciating their efforts in promoting indigenous products and sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking on the occasion, LG Saxena termed the visit of a sitting CJI to Ladakh as a historic milestone. He highlighted the unique challenges faced by the region due to its vast geography, remoteness and demographic diversity and emphasised the need for collective efforts to strengthen the judicial system. He also apprised the gathering of key initiatives undertaken by the UT administration, including the engagement of judicial personnel, deployment of paralegal volunteers and the organisation of mobile legal aid clinics in remote areas.
The Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, described the occasion of the CJI’s visit as historic. He expressed the confidence that the visit would significantly contribute to enhancing legal awareness and empowering tribal communities through improved access to justice. He appreciated the leadership of the LG and the continued support of the Indian Army in the development of Ladakh.
Lt. Gen. Hitesh Bhalla, GOC, 14 Corps, briefed the gathering on the initiatives undertaken by the Fire and Fury Corps in coordination with the civil administration, highlighting efforts in border management as well as socio-economic development, including education, healthcare, environmental initiatives and community outreach programmes.
