Handwara Gets New ₹15 Cr Court Complex, Chief Justice Arun Palli Emphasizes Accessible Justice – Alfaaz – The Words

Murtaza Mushtaq

Srinagar: Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Arun Palli, on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed Court Complex in Handwara. He was joined on the occasion by Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi and District & Sessions Judge Kupwara, Manjeet Singh Manhas.

The new facility, built at an estimated cost of ₹15 crore by the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board, is expected to significantly improve judicial infrastructure in the region.

Speaking at the event, Justice Palli, as per Alfaaz – The Words, underlined the vital role of the Bench and Bar in strengthening public faith in the justice delivery system. “People come to the courts with high hopes, considering them as the ‘Temple of Justice’. It is our duty to ensure that justice remains accessible and affordable to all,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of technological interventions in the judicial process, the Chief Justice noted that digitisation and modern infrastructure are helping realise the constitutional mandate of inexpensive and speedy justice. “This will reduce pendency and expedite the disposal of cases,” he added.

Interacting with members of the Bar, including former Bar Association president Ghulam Nabi Khan, as well as officers from the civil and police administration, Justice Palli stressed the need for cooperation between the judiciary, executive and police. “All organs of the state are repositories of constitutional trust and must work collectively to deliver justice and maintain order,” he said.

The Chief Justice also inspected various sections of the complex and issued on-spot directions for improvements.

The event was attended by judicial officers from Kupwara and Handwara, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb Suse (IAS), DIG Baramulla Maqsood-ul-Zaman, SSP Handwara Chowdhary Mushtaq Ahmad, and Bar Association Kupwara president Advocate Ahrar Ahmad Dar, among others.