Amid Shortage Of Judges' Accommodation, High Court Directs Registrar General To Inspect Suitability Of Mohali Flats Proposed By Punjab Govt

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the Registrar General to inspect whether the flats which the Punjab Government is purchasing in Mohali for accommodation of judicial and executive officers are suitable.

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, "State of Punjab has submitted that process has been initiated to purchase 167 premium flat in Mohali...to make it available for the accommodations of judicial and executive officers posted in SAS Nagar. Whether these flats are suitable for officers, the registrar general is directed to carry an inspection."

These observations were made while hearing two Public Interest Litigations filed by the District Bar Association, Malerkotla pertaining to the shortage of space in District Courts and accommodation for judicial officers in Punjab and Haryana.

During the hearing, the Haryana Government submitted that it is in process of buying lands for building flats for the accommodation of Haryana judicial officer. Expressing dissatisfaction with the submission, Chief Justice Nagu orally said, "building new flats will take years to come...identify houses which are vacant" to accommodate judicial officers in Haryana.

Taking the affidavits on record submitted by both the States, the Court directed the counsel representing High Court to go through it and point out the deficiency.

In November, the High Court had observed that the acute shortage of accommodation for judicial officers is adversely affecting the quality of administration of justice especially, when the new batch of Civil Judges would be joining within two months.

The bench had also noted then that in an order passed in September, the Court had issued the writ of mandamus "to identify and make available alternative accommodations to make up for the deficiencies of courtrooms and residences for judicial officers by earmarking and requisitioning State buildings lying vacant in all districts of Punjab, which are suitable and befitting for court room/Judge's residence.”

The matter is listed on December 20, for further consideration.

Title: District Bar Association, Malerkotla v. State of Punjab and others