Leh, 27 March (H.S.): Chief Justice of India Surya Kant arrived in Ladakh on Friday on an official visit, marking the first-ever tour of the Union Territory by a sitting CJI, officials said.

According to the itinerary, Justice Kant is scheduled to inaugurate district court buildings in Leh and Kargil, and travel to forward areas to interact with troops guarding the country’s borders, they said.

On his arrival in Leh, the CJI was accorded a warm reception by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, along with other judges of the high court.

The reception was also attended by senior dignitaries, including Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, General Officer Commanding 14 Corps Lt General Hitesh Bhalla, and senior officers from the civil administration, judiciary, Army, and police, officials said.

They said Justice Kant was presented with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, followed by a traditional welcome showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh. Thereafter, he interacted with the lieutenant governor, judges, and senior district officials of Leh.

During the visit, the CJI is scheduled to inaugurate 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.

A mega legal services camp and awareness programme is also being organised as part of the visit, aimed at enhancing legal awareness and outreach among the local population, they said.

Officials said the visit follows up on deliberations at the North Zone Conference held in July 2025 in Srinagar, which focused on “Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel & Tribals: Bridging the Gaps”.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar