High Court Pulls Up Delhi Govt Over Lack Of Efforts To Ensure Finances For Construction Of Residential Flats For Judges

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Delhi Government for lack of efforts to ensure finances for pending project of construction of residential flats for judicial officers of the district judiciary in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela reminded the Delhi Government that providing adequate official accommodation to the judicial officers has to be a priority for all.

“Having regard to the nature of work and duties being performed by the judicial officers as underscored by the Supreme Court, it is needless to remind the officers of the state government and all other authorities and bodies that providing adequate official accommodation to judicial officers has to be necessarily a priority for all,” the Court said.

The Bench noted that on December 09 last year, the Delhi Government counsel had that a meeting was scheduled for December 10, 2024, for ensuring the finances for the pending projects and to consider the proposal for allocation of finances for construction of residential complexes for judicial officers.

However, the Delhi Government counsel today informed Court that no meeting was held on the said date. He also said that the same could not be done due to the Assembly elections.

On this, the Bench said that once the Court was informed that a meeting was to be held on December10, 2024, not holding such a meeting despite furnishing information cannot be appreciated.

“Why is this not a priority? One month has passed since elections. We don't appreciate lip service. Don't push us against the wall. Make your officers understand all this. What are we asking you? We are only asking you to implement the orders passed by the Supreme Court. That's all. You are unable to make your officers understand simple thing,” CJ orally told Delhi Government's counsel.

The Court recorded in its order: “At least a month period has passed since the elections were over. No effort appears to be in sight for ensuring finances for pending projects."

The Bench said that any laxity or even slackness on the part of government officers or any authority in implementing the directions of the Apex Court cannot be appreciated and that the Supreme Court has passed orders considering the fact that judicial service is an integral component of functions of the State itself which contributes to sustaining the rule of law.

On Delhi Government's assurance, the Court granted it three weeks time to take positive decision in relation to the sanction and release of funds for completion of pending housing projects for judicial officers including the lands in Dwarka and CBD plot Shahdara.

The Court also directed the counsel appearing for the petitioner to file a response indicating if there is any land available which can be utilised for construction of official residence of the judicial officers.

Earlier, the Court was informed that against a total sanctioned strength of judicial officers of 897, the number of flats available were 348 which were located at various places and thus, the deficit was or 549 flats.

The PILs have been filed by Sahil A Garg Narwana and Judicial Service Association, Delhi.

The matter will now be heard on April 03.

Title: Sahil A Garg Narwana v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS and other connected matter