India, Oct. 5 -- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed all trial courts in Jammu and Kashmir to accord priority to cases involving dowry death and cruelty to women by husbands or their relatives, covered under Sections 304B and 498A of the IPC and corresponding Sections 80 and 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and endeavour to ensure their expeditious disposal in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions.

The directions have been issued by the Registrar General in compliance with the Supreme Court's order dated August 20, 2026, in the matter of State of Uttar Pradesh vs Ajmal Beg & Ors.

Under the circular, the District Judiciary has been asked to identify cases pending for more than three years, particularly those at...