Chief Justice virtually inaugurates State-of-the-Art High Court Guest House at Melongthang Leh, Additional Court at High Court Complex Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, today virtually inaugurated the State-of-the-Art High Court Guest House at Melongthang, Leh, UT of Ladakh, in presence of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Justice Sanjay Dhar, Justice Puneet Gupta, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Justice Mohd. Akram Chowdhary, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Justice Rajesh Sekhri and Justice Mohd. Yousuf Wani, Judges of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh. The inauguration was also graced by the presence of Dr. Pawan Dev Kotwal, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, UT of Ladakh.

The Guest House, constructed at a cost of Rs 12.42 crore has eight suites, eight deluxe rooms and three additional rooms with centrally heated features and in-house lounge, dining room and office with facility of air condition; ensuring comfort for its occupants. A separate accommodation for staff Guest House has been built in close proximity. The facility is dedicated for comfortable lodging and boarding of not only visiting Judges of the Supreme Court, various High Courts, Judges of High Court of J&K and Ladakh but also other judicial officers from different States visiting the UT of Ladakh.

During his inaugural address, Chief Justice, Tashi Rabstan emphasized on the integral role of robust infrastructure in the efficient functioning of the judiciary. He expressed his gratitude to Lieutenant Governor and the officers of the UT Administration for their unwavering cooperation and support in developing judicial infrastructure in both Leh and Kargil districts. The Chief Justice highlighted that earlier there was no suitable option for visiting judges of the Supreme Court, various High Courts or even judges of our own High Court and other judicial officers for comfortable stay in the region except for the Hotels. He added that the newly constructed, State-of-the-Art High Court Guest House will now cater to the lodging and boarding requirements of judges and judicial officers, ensuring a comfortable stay during their visits.

 Chief Justice lauded the dedication and swift response of the UT Administration in completing this project and expressed hope that similar enthusiasm and efficiency would be demonstrated in completing other vital infrastructure projects within stipulated timelines. Dr. Pawan Dev Kotwal, congratulated the judiciary on the inauguration of the Guest House. He credited the regular reviews and personal intervention of the Chief Justice for the timely completion of the project. Dr. Kotwal reiterated the administration’s commitment to providing top-notch infrastructure to meet the needs of the judiciary.

On the occasion, Principal District Judge (PDJ) Leh felicitated various officers and officials of the executing agencies who showed their dedication in timely completion of this project, by presenting traditional Khataks as a token of appreciation for their commendable efforts. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General; AmitKumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority; Anoop Sharma, Registrar IT; Farooq Ahmad Bhat, Registrar Judicial, Srinagar; Fayaz Ahmed Qureshi, CPC e-Courts; Abdul Bari, Joint Registrar Judicial and other officers of the High Court Registry at Srinagar. Spalzes Angmo, Member Secretary, Ladakh Legal Services Authority; Manoj Parihar, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Leh; Shafi Lassu, President Bar Association Leh and other senior officers and officials were present at Leh.

Manoj Parihar, Principal District and Sessions Judge Leh, delivered the welcome address, wherein, he extended a warm welcome to the Chief Justice and Hon’ble Judges of the High Court, as well as other dignitaries present. Tsewang Phuntsog, CJM Leh proposed the formal vote of thanks. The Proceedings of the event were conducted by Chemit Yurgyal, Secretary DLSA Kargil and Nodal Officer for Judicial Infrastructure Projects in UT Ladakh.

Subsequently, Chief Justice also inaugurated an Additional Court at the High Court Complex, Srinagar. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing judicial accessibility and expediting justice delivery for the people of the region. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that the public has access to efficient and timely justice. He further acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders who contributed to the successful establishment of the Additional Court.