Kargil, Aug 01 (KNO): The Ministry of Law and Justice has acknowledged critical gaps in the judicial infrastructure of Ladakh, confirming that more than 30% of sanctioned judicial posts remain vacant and only half of the Union Territory's sub-divisions currently have functioning court infrastructure.
Responding to a question raised by MP Mohammad Haneefa in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal informed that of the 10 sub-divisions in Ladakh, courts are operational in only five including Zanskar, Sankoo, Khaltsi, Nubra and Drass.
According to government data, 17 judicial officer posts have been sanctioned for the region, but only 10 are currently filled.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 11 court halls and four residential units are available, while four additional court halls and two residences are under construction.
Over the last five years, the Centre has released Rs 8.33 crore to Ladakh under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the development of judicial infrastructure. For the year 2025–26, Rs 2 crore has been earmarked under the CSS specifically for UTs without legislatures.
To address access issues in remote areas, the Ladakh administration has set up Special Mobile Magistrate Courts in Leh and Kargil. Lok Adalats are also held regularly under the framework of the Legal Services Authorities Act.
In the last three years, National Lok Adalats in Ladakh settled 5,375 cases, while State Lok Adalats handled 240 cases, mostly during 2022–23.
In September 2023, a Legal Aid Clinic was opened in Tangtse village of Leh district, as part of efforts to expand grassroots legal support. Overall, 1,540 people including 477 women and 24 children have benefited from various legal aid services across Ladakh in the last three years, according to the Ladakh Legal Services Authority (LLSA).
The government said steps are being taken, in consultation with the High Court, to fill judicial vacancies following Supreme Court guidelines in the Malik Mazhar Sultan case.
Also, a national toll-free legal aid helpline (15100) was launched in August 2024 to offer legal advice and referral services to citizens, including residents of Ladakh—(KNO)