The Sub Court at Kavaratti became a District and Sessions Court in April 1997, and a second Munsiff Court sits at Amini

State Focus Lakshadweep Judiciary Law & Courts Polity & Governance

The Sub Court at Kavaratti became a District and Sessions Court in April 1997, and a second Munsiff Court sits at Amini

Background

The Kerala High Court's August 2026 judgment on Lakshadweep's pandaram land shows why the islands' court structure matters, and the Union Territory's own judicial setup page sets it out.
The Sub Court at Kavaratti was upgraded to a District and Sessions Court with effect from April 1997.
The Munsiff Court at Amini covers Amini, Agatti, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat and Bitra islands.
The Munsiff Court at Andrott covers Kavaratti, Andrott, Minicoy and Kalpeni islands.
Both Munsiff Courts also function as Courts of Judicial Magistrate of First Class for their areas.
The Judicial Magistrate at Andrott holds the additional charge of Chief Judicial Magistrate.
Lakshadweep falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kerala.

Kavaratti Sub Court upgraded: April 1997 Munsiff Courts: Amini and Andrott Islands under Amini Munsiff Court: Amini, Agatti, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlat, Bitra High Court: High Court of Kerala

Why it matters for exams: Which High Court covers Lakshadweep, and the fact that the territory's district court sits at Kavaratti while the Chief Judicial Magistrate sits at Andrott, are both precise, testable facts.

Kerala PSCUPSC

17 October 2026 Source: Judicial Setup, Union Territory of Lakshadweep

In plain words

Munsiff Court Court of the Munsiff — The lowest civil court in the Kerala pattern of judicial hierarchy, trying suits of limited value.

CJM Chief Judicial Magistrate — The senior judicial magistrate of a district, supervising the magistrates below.