Jammu & Kashmir And Ladakh High Court Weekly Roundup February 9 - February 15, 2026

State of J&K V/s Dhanwanter Singh and ors 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 40

Union of India vs Rajammal 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 41

Malika vs UT of J&K 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 42

Mazeed Ali vs UT of J&K 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 43

Sikander Sharma Vs Addl Commissioner Jammu and Ors 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 44

State Of J&K Vs Daleep Singh 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 46

Judgments/Orders:

Surrender Of Absconding Accused After Filing Of Challan Not Grounds For Police Custody When Co-Accused Already Acquitted: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: State of J&K V/s Dhanwanter Singh and ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 40

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court ruled that mere surrender of an absconding accused after filing of challan does not create a right in favour of the prosecution to seek police custody, particularly when the prosecution rests on the very same evidence on which co-accused have already been acquitted.

Just Compensation Paramount: J&K&L High Court Enhances MACT Award Despite No Cross-Appeal By Claimants

Case-Title: Union of India vs Rajammal

Citatio: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 41

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court held that an appellate court can enhance compensation in a motor accident case even in the absence of a cross-appeal or cross-objections by the claimants, if the compensation awarded by the Tribunal is found to be inadequate.

Writ Not Maintainable For Enforcement Of Private Service Contract Against Unaided School: J&K&L High Court

Case-Title: Malika vs UT of J&K

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 42

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court held that a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution is not maintainable for enforcement of service-related rights arising out of a private contract between a teacher and a private unaided school.

Mere Receipt Of Funds From Co-Accused Not 'Financing Illicit Trafficking': J&K&L High Court Grants Bail In NDPS Case

Case-Title: Mazeed Ali vs UT of J&K

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 43

The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has granted bail to an accused charged under Section 27A of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), holding that mere receipt of funds from co-accused does not prima facie amount to financing of illicit trafficking unless there is material to show actual financing or harbouring within the meaning of the statute.

Statements Made By Parties' Counsel Acting As Authorised Agents Are Binding & Operate As Estoppel: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Sikander Sharma Vs Addl Commissioner Jammu and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 44

Reiterating a fundamental principle governing courtroom proceedings, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh held that statements and consent given by advocates, acting as authorised agents of litigants, are binding on the parties and operate as an estoppel in law. The Court made it clear that once an order is passed with such consent, a party cannot subsequently challenge it merely because it has had a change of mind.

Undenied Pleadings Are Deemed Admitted By Implication Under CPC: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: Hotel New Metro Vs UT Of J&K

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 45

Holding that undisputed pleadings amount to admission in law, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh ruled that where a respondent fails to specifically deny material factual assertions made in a plaint or writ petition, such facts are deemed to be admitted by implication in terms of Order VIII Rules 3 and 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Extra-Judicial Panchayat Confession Is No Evidence Against Co-Accused Unless Strictly Proved & Corroborated: J&K&L High Court

Case Title: State Of J&K Vs Daleep Singh

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (JKL) 46

Reinforcing a core principle of criminal jurisprudence that a confession not recorded before a Magistrate has no substantive evidentiary value and cannot, by itself, be used to convict a co-accused, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh dismissed a criminal appeal against acquittal, holding that an alleged Panchayat confession being exculpatory, unproved, and uncorroborated could not sustain a conviction.