Punjab & Haryana High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Authorities' Failure To Address Waterlogging Near Court Premises Amid Heavy Rains

Observing that on account of waterlogging near court premises, lawyers were precluded from appearing and expeditious disposal of cases hindered, the Punjab & Haryana High Court took suo motu cognizance yesterday of the prima-facie negligence of concerned authorities.

A Division Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma noted that, “no preventive steps yet became taken by the Administration, to ensure that such ill happenings are precluded to re-occur. Therefore, obviously prima-facie there is negligence on the part of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh/, and, or the Administration concerned.”

The decision came to be made when members of the High Court Bar Association apprised the court that there was clogging in the High Court parking area and the lanes leading upto it.

Highlighting that inaction of the authorities in maintaining proper drainage system raised serious questions on their effectiveness, the court said, “Building premises of Punjab and Haryana High Court being the heritage site, holds utmost relevance in the States of Punjab and Haryana, including U.T. Chandigarh.”

In light of the above, it was found that there was “prima-facie negligence” and the matter referred to the Principal Division Bench to take further action.

Appearance: Advocate Sandeep Sharma

Case Title: Court on its own motion v. UT Chandigarh