*Rolls out activity calendar of JKLSA
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Jan 29: Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Tashi Rabstan, today inaugurated the Judicial Enclave, comprising five well furnished apartments for Judicial Officers, at District Court Complex, Kathua in presence of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Administrative Judge, Kathua district.
Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General, High Court; MK Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Justice; Amit Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority and Judicial Officers posted at District Headquarters Kathua were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Justice highlighted the significance of having dignified residences for the Judicial Officers nearer to the Court Complex. He emphasised early completion of the under construction Court Complex at Kathua and other Court Buildings in the district so that the Courts, which are presently functioning in the buildings with grossly insufficient and inadequate space and facilities, can be shifted there. The same would be beneficial for all the stakeholders paving the way for smooth and speedy dispensation of Justice.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal also expressed happiness at the completion of the Judicial Enclave and appreciated the pioneering efforts made by the Chief Justice in this regard.
In his welcome address, Jatinder Singh Jamwal, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kathua welcomed Chief Justice, Administrative Judge and all other dignitaries which included Officers of the High Court Registry, the Deputy Commissioner Kathua and Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua.
He presented a brief overview of Judicial Enclave and other infrastructural projects coming up in the district.
Pravin Pandoh, Additional District Judge Kathua, presented vote of thanks. He thanked all the dignitaries present on the occasion and made a special mention of Parvez Malik and his team for their dedication in timely completion of this project.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Amandeep Kour, Special Mobile Magistrate, Kathua.
Meanwhile, in a significant step towards strengthening legal awareness and ensuring access to justice for all, Justice Tashi Rabstan, rolled out an Activity Calendar (Wall Hanging) 2025 of the J&K Legal Services Authority in the presence of Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, who joined the simple but impressive ceremony virtually from Srinagar.
The Activity Calendar 2025 serves as a comprehensive roadmap for legal awareness programs, legal aid initiatives and outreach activities planned for the current year across the Union Territory of J&K. Besides highlighting key dates for National and Special Lok Adalats, it outlines awareness campaigns on social justice issues, training programs for legal aid functionaries, helpline numbers for enhanced accessibility and initiatives aimed at strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
While releasing the calendar, the Chief Justice commended the J&K Legal Services Authority for its commitment in bridging the gap between legal institutions and the legal aid seekers, particularly those from marginalized and underprivileged sections of society.
Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority also underscored the importance of activity calendar in timely execution of legal aid initiatives and stressed that the calendar would serve as a strategic tool for organizing legal literacy programs, Lok Adalats, victim support initiatives and pro bono services across the UT.
The event also marked discussions on further strengthening legal aid mechanisms, enhancing digital outreach and promoting legal literacy at the grassroots level. The calendar includes special focus areas such as legal assistance to prisoners, empowerment of women and children, awareness on cyber laws, environmental justice, rehabilitation of victims of crime and undertaking of special campaigns launched by the NALSA.