Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Saturday celebrated the 80th Independence Day at its Srinagar complex, with lawyers representing all districts of the Kashmir Valley participating in the event for the first time.
Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Kumar hoisted the National Flag in the presence of High Court judges, former judges, senior advocates, judicial officers, government advocates, members of the Bar, and civil and police officers.
A key feature of the celebrations was the participation of advocates from all Valley districts, who shared concerns and suggestions relating to the legal fraternity and the functioning of the justice delivery system in their respective districts. The interaction facilitated direct engagement between the Bench and the Bar on issues affecting the administration of justice.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting Chief Justice assured lawyers that genuine concerns raised by district Bars would be addressed and stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the Bench and the Bar.
He highlighted the strides made in modernising the justice delivery system across Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, particularly under the e-Courts Project. Among the initiatives cited were the introduction of paperless courts in 20 Principal District and Sessions Courts, expansion of e-filing and digitisation of records, establishment of e-Sewa Kendras and deployment of advanced video-conferencing and audio-visual facilities.
Justice Kumar said judicial infrastructure development remained a priority, referring to the upcoming High Court complex at Bemina, Srinagar, which is being developed as a state-of-the-art judicial campus.
He also highlighted the work of the J&K Legal Services Authority and the J&K Judicial Academy, noting their role in expanding access to justice through legal aid clinics, panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers. He said legal aid, awareness programmes and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms were helping make the justice delivery system more accessible and inclusive.
On the role of the media, the Acting Chief Justice called for restraint and responsibility in reporting judicial proceedings and judgments. He cautioned against sensationalism, selective presentation of court decisions and attempts to turn judicial outcomes into instruments of publicity.
“The authority of a judgment flows from the Court and the law,” he said, stressing that judicial proceedings should be reported with institutional sensitivity.
The celebrations concluded with a reaffirmation of commitment to constitutional values, the rule of law and the strengthening of the justice delivery system.