Punjab & Haryana High Court Calls For Report On HC Expansion After Heavy Rains Lead To Destruction Of Court Files

Taking note of the "disturbing event" of heavy rains in Chandigarh which led to the destruction of the Court files, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Union Government to complete the report on the holistic development of the High Court building "expeditiously."

Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal noted,  "It is pertinent to point out that old District Courts building in Sector 17, Chandigarh, houses record of the disposed of cases. Some of the records have been scanned but the remaining are yet to be scanned. The extent of damage is yet to be ascertained and in case the unscanned records have been destroyed due to inundation then it is an extremely serious matter where the responsibility would rests on the UT, Chandigarh Administration."

The Court highlighted that despite the Chief Architect and the Chief Engineer of UT, Chandigarh Administration having been apprised by the Registrar General of the High Court, as early as in October 2023, with repeat requests in April and May for taking remedial steps, "no heed was paid."

The senior counsel appearing for UT Chandigarh sought a short adjournment to seek instructions about remedial action taken.

"He further assures the Court that a traffic circulation plan will be prepared and placed before this Court, on the next date of hearing, so as to ease the traffic congestion which takes place in the morning and evening in and around the High Court campus," the Court noted.

ASG Satya Pal Jain submitted that the " task regarding heritage impact assessment has been assigned to IIT Roorke is nearing completion and the report is likely to be submitted by 15.10.2024."

Stating that "Let the process be completed as expeditiously as possible and by all means by 15.10.2024," the Court deferred the matter to August 23."

The Court was hearing a batch of petitions on issues including expansion of High Court buildings, additional space for employees, parking facility etc.

Previously, the Court directed a Technical Experts Committee to submit whether the High Court campus overlaps the Sukhna catchment area or not.

Title: VINOD DHATTERWAL AND OTHERS v. UOI & Ors.

Click here to read/download the order