Bandipora, Apr 13(KNB): Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Administrative Judge for District Bandipora, on Monday directed that the newly constructed District Court Complex at Kaloosa be made fully operational within one week.
The direction came during his day-long official visit to Bandipora, where he conducted a detailed administrative inspection of both the existing court complex and the newly constructed judicial facility.
Justice Nargal was received at the old court complex by Principal District and Sessions Judge Bandipora Jeema Bashir, Additional District and Sessions Judge Mir Wajahat, Chief Judicial Magistrate Iqbal Akhoon, Munsiff Amandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajaz Ahmad Zargar, Bar Association President Sofi Feroz Ahmad and other judicial and civil officers.
During the inspection, he reviewed courtrooms, record rooms and allied facilities, taking stock of infrastructure, record management and overall working conditions.
Later, the Administrative Judge visited the new District Court Complex at Kaloosa, where a formal programme was organised. Addressing the gathering, Justice Nargal underscored the foundational role of the district judiciary in ensuring justice at the grassroots level.
He described the district courts as the “foundation of the judicial system,” observing that justice delivery begins where the ordinary citizen first approaches the courts for relief.
Appreciating the construction of the new court complex, Justice Nargal said the facility reflects progressive vision and would help provide a dignified, efficient and accessible environment for justice delivery.
However, noting that the new building had still not been made fully functional despite its inauguration, he expressed concern over the delay and directed that the entire shifting process be completed within one week.
He further instructed the district administration and the executing agency to address all pending infrastructural and operational requirements on priority so that litigants, lawyers and judicial officers can start using the facility without further delay.
Justice Nargal also stressed the importance of integrating technology into justice delivery, including video conferencing, digital records, e-filing, virtual hearings and online cause lists, especially in a region facing geographical challenges.
During the formal programme, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib assured full cooperation from the district administration for smooth functioning of the courts and also highlighted the importance of the Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan.
Bar Association President Sofi Feroz Ahmad, while welcoming the Administrative Judge, raised several issues concerning basic amenities for litigants and lawyers, full-time functioning of courts and the long-pending demand for establishment of a Consumer Court in Bandipora.
Following the programme, Justice Nargal personally inspected courtrooms, chambers, bar rooms, record sections and litigant facilities at the new complex to assess its readiness for full operational use.
He later held separate meetings with judicial officers, district administration officials, the executing agency and members of the Bar Association, issuing time-bound directions for completion of short-term and long-term infrastructural requirements.
The visit concluded with a vote of thanks by Principal District and Sessions Judge Bandipora Jeema Bashir, who expressed gratitude for the guidance and directions issued during the visit.(KNB)