Court Rooms In Delhi District Courts Not Commensurate With Sanctioned Strength Of Judicial Officers: Delhi High Court

Taking judicial notice of the fact that there is a shortage of space and budget in all district courts in the city, the Delhi High Court has said that the number of court rooms available is not commensurate with the sanctioned strength of judicial officers.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna said that several new judicial infrastructure projects have been awaiting administrative approval and expenditure sanction of the Delhi Government.

“It is pertinent to mention that ninety-nine newly recruited officers of Delhi Judicial Service have recently joined and are currently undergoing training at the Delhi Judicial Academy and few more are expected to join in the near future. It is apparent that after completion of their training, it would not be possible for the High Court of Delhi to allot Courts to all these officers on account of non-availability of Court rooms,” the court said.

The bench was dealing with a plea seeking direction on the Delhi Government to develop proper infrastructure and logistical support for recording of evidence by the Local Commissioners in District Courts in the national capital.

Advocate Harshvardhan Pandey appearing for the petitioner, Achla Dhawan, submitted that there is an utter lack of infrastructure and logistical support for recording of evidence by Local Commissioner which frustrates the very object of promoting recording of evidence out of courts.

He submitted that it is important to provide an environment conducive to the recording of evidence by Local Commissioners by providing adequate infrastructure and logistical support.

He referred to an affidavit filed by the Registrar General of the High Court stating that there is a paucity of spaces in all the District Courts, yet the Delhi Government in its status report stated that no proposal to provide proper infrastructure and logistical support for recording of evidence by Local Commissioners is under consideration with the Law Department.

Accordingly, the court asked Delhi Government’s counsel to take instructions as to whether funds and land would be made available for providing appropriate infrastructure for recording of evidence by Local Commissioners in the District Courts in the city.

The matter will now be heard tomorrow.

Title: ACHLA DHAWAN v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Del) 1192

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