The bench began with a hybrid session, Chief Justice Bhati joining via video link while Justice Parihar sat in Leh. The day saw five division‑bench cases and 60 single‑bench matters cleared. The use of technology bridged the 100‑kilometre absence of a permanent local court.
Before the bench, residents of Leh and Kargil had to trek to Srinagar or travel by helicopter to Jammu for hearings. The distance—over 200 kilometres in some directions—frequently delayed justice and cost families thousands of rupees.
The 11,500‑foot elevation of Leh makes travel and construction difficult, but the court’s presence demonstrates a commitment to constitutional reach. The bench is the first permanent high‑court venue in a high‑altitude region, a milestone for the judiciary.
Justice Parihar said the 65 cases selected for the opening day were chosen to showcase the court’s ability to handle a wide range of matters. He added that the hybrid model would continue to serve litigants who cannot physically attend.
The High Court’s Chief Justice, Surya Kant, inaugurated the bench on October 18, and the current proceedings are a tangible outcome of that decision.