Chief Justice High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority, Tashi Rabstan, today visited the District Court Complex, Ganderbal to take stock of measures concerning court management and infrastructure.
Present on the occasion were Abdul Nasir, Principal District & Session Judge (Chairman District Legal Services Authority) Ganderbal, Jatin Kishore, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Judicial Officers from the District Headquarter Ganderbal, Ragav S, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, Public Prosecutors and District Bar Association, Ganderbal.
During the visit, the Chief Justice was accompanied by Mohinder Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice and Jahangir Ahmad Bakshi, Joint Registrar (Judicial) Srinagar. A ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to the Chief Justice by the District Police Ganderbal.
The Chief Justice inaugurated the office of Legal Aid Defense Counsel at the District Court Ganderbal, marking a significant milestone in enhancing access to justice for the people of Ganderbal. The initiative was a part of the Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC) system, adopted by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to provide free and competent legal aid especially in criminal matters.
During his visit, the Chief Justice inspected the court complex, reviewed the functioning of e-Sewa Kendra, Judicial infrastructure of various courts and also took stock of court functioning. The Chief Justice directed all the judicial officers to work hard for the cause of justice and dispose of the old and targeted cases especially which are more than 10 years old on priority, up keeping the faith of general public in court’s functioning.
He also emphasized that the facility of e-Seva Kendra be made fully functional and its benefits must reach to the litigants of Ganderbal for filling of their cases through e-mode. The Chief Justice also held interactive meetings with the judicial officers and Bar members, where the paucity of space for judicial infrastructure and chambers for advocates was raised.
In response, Deputy Commissioner apprised the Chief Justice that 45 kanal of land has already been identified for construction of new Court complex, Ganderbal for which DPR has been prepared and submitted to the higher authorities.
The Chief Justice also directed the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal to construct prefabricated structures, including necessary furniture on a priority basis for lawyer’s chambers.