Punjab and Haryana High Court Orders Verandah Construction Outside Chief Justice’s Courtroom

Chandigarh: December 5, 2024

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered Chandigarh Administration to construct a verandah outside the court room number one presided by Chief Justice within six weeks. The development marks an epitome of the high court’s efforts to build better infrastructure to cater to its needs as well as those of the litigant public.

Court’s Elaborate Timeline for Building the Verandah The Chief Justice Sheel Nagu led the High Court bench along with Justice Anil Kshetarpal, which ordered that within two weeks, construction needs to start and within the subsequent four weeks, it will be completed. The September 19 meeting of Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee in-principle approved the project provided that the Foundation Le Corbusier Paris is consulted for whatever designs are required.

The court has said that assurance from UT Administration to expedite feedback had not been met with action and therefore this stern order is necessitated. “A writ of mandamus is issued to the UT Administration to ensure the construction aligns with the design of verandahs already existing in front of courtrooms two to nine,” the bench stated.

Satya Pal Jain, an Additional Solicitor-General of India, confirmed that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change had approved the diversion of the forest land near the area of the Rock Garden and High Court. This diversion aims to ease traffic congestion within the court premises.

The bench directed the forest department and the UT Administration to comply with all the specified conditions within 15 days and submit a detailed report at the next hearing on December 13.

To make it accessible, the court asked the Bar Association to convene a meeting to set up a corpus fund to acquire electric auto carts or rickshaws. They will fill in the commuting distance between the extra parking lot that is going to be completed near Haryana MLA Hostel and the court campus.

Bar Association secretary Swarn Singh Tiwana said there was a broad consensus building among members in support of the move.

Relocation of Administrative Office The High Court also directed the UT Administration to finalize the lease agreement for a Sector 17A premises for housing its administrative branches. This is after a technical committee approved the lease for a year.

Warning Against Lapses in Compliance

The court expressed its displeasure over the administration’s failure to submit fortnightly compliance reports as ordered earlier. The bench granted a final opportunity and directed the submission of a comprehensive progress report on all ongoing projects before the December 13 hearing.

This judgment reiterates the High Court’s determination to streamline infrastructure development while holding itself accountable and efficient within its premises.

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