History

District Kupwara was a part of erstwhile District Baramulla. Before the creation of a separate District, there were three courts functioning in Kupwara i,e. Sub Judge Court at Handwara, Munsiff Court at Kupwara and Munsiff court at Karnah. All these courts were under the control of District Court, Baramulla. A separate District “Kupwara” was created in the year 1979. The Court of Principal District and Session Judge started its functioning from 1st of March, 1980. The first Presiding Officer of the District Court was Mr. G.N. Gowher. On the creation of the District, the Sub Judge Court which was functioning at Handwara was designated as Sub Judge/ Chief Judicial Magistrate Court. Later on the Munsiff Court which was functioning at Kupwara was upgraded to the Court of Sub Judge and the Munsiff Court at Karnah, which was established in the year 1968, is still functioning as such.

Thereafter in the year 2001, three more Fast-tract courts of Munsiff, one at Sogam, second at Kupwara and third at Handwara were established in the District. In this way, District Kupwara has at present one District Court, One CJM Court at Handwara, One Sub Judge Court at Kupwara, One Munsiff Court at Karnah, One Munsiff Court at Sogam, One Munsiff Court at Kupwara and One Munsiff Court at Handwara.