Jammu & Kashmir And Ladakh High Court Weekly Round-Up: April 13 - April 19, 2026

Abdul Aziz Bhat & Ors. v. UT of J&K & Ors 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 151

Jasmeet Singh & Anr. v. Shafi Ahmed 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 152

Afroz Ahmed Sheikh v. Narcotics Control Bureau Jammu Zone 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 153

UT of J&K & Ors. v. Raghu Singh Jandla 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 154

Mela Ram & Ors. Vs State of J&K & Anr. Arti Devi Vs State of J&K & Anr 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 155

Feroz Ahmad Dar v. M/s Himalayan Motors 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 156

Judgments/Orders:

Dispute Over Compensation Under NH Act Must Be Referred To Civil Court, Authority Must Withhold Disbursement Till Resolution: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Abdul Aziz Bhat & Ors. v. UT of J&K & Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 151

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that where a dispute arises as to the entitlement or apportionment of compensation for acquired land, the competent authority is under a statutory obligation under Section 3H(4) of the National Highways Act, 1956 to refer such dispute to the Principal Civil Court of original jurisdiction and withhold disbursement of the amount until the dispute is resolved by that Court.

Bank Officials Not Entitled To S.197 CrPC Protection Despite Being 'Public Servants' Under RPC: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Jasmeet Singh & Anr. v. Shafi Ahmed

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 152

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that while bank officials may fall within the definition of “public servants” under Section 21 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), the protection under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is not available to them.

Trial Court Must Determine Whether Additional Accused To Be Tried Jointly Or Separately; Main Case Proceeds Independently: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Afroz Ahmed Sheikh v. Narcotics Control Bureau Jammu Zone

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 153

The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that where an additional accused is summoned during the course of proceedings, the trial court must undertake a judicial determination as to whether such an accused is to be tried jointly with the existing accused or separately.

Notional Fixation Of Seniority Is Equitable Exception When Delay Attributable To Appointing Authority: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: UT of J&K & Ors. v. Raghu Singh Jandla

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 154

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that while seniority is generally determined from the date of substantive appointment, notional fixation of seniority is an equitable exception when the delay in appointment is attributable to the appointing authority.

Husband's Girlfriend Does Not Fall Within Definition Of 'Relative' U/S 498A IPC; Cannot Be Prosecuted For Cruelty: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Mela Ram & Ors. Vs State of J&K & Anr. Arti Devi Vs State of J&K & Anr.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 155

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that a woman having an extra-marital relationship with the husband does not qualify as a “relative” under Section 498-A of the Ranbir Penal Code (corresponding to Section 498-A IPC), and therefore cannot be prosecuted for cruelty or harassment under that provision.

Executing Court Cannot Issue Levy Warrants While S.47 CPC Challenge To Decree Remains Pending: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Feroz Ahmad Dar v. M/s Himalayan Motors

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 156

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that an Executing Court cannot proceed with coercive steps such as issuing levy warrants while an application under Section 47 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, challenging the executability of a decree, remains pending.