[Chandigarh Electricity Crisis] Punjab & Haryana High Court Takes Suo-Moto Cognizance, Seeks Presence Of Chief Engineer

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today took suo moto cognizance of the Electricity Crisis In UT Chandigarh and has sought the presence of the Chief Engineer, U.T., Chandigarh to appear before the Court tomorrow to apprise the Court about the measures being taken to alleviate the crisis.

The Bench of Justice Ajay Tewari and Justice Pankaj Jain decided to take up the matter on the judicial side when it was told to the Court that the power supply to large parts of the city of Chandigarh has been disrupted.

Importantly, appearing before the Court, Senior Standing Counsel Anil Mehta apprised the Court that the power failure was on account of acts of sabotage by the striking employees.

He further informed the Court that a request was made by the U.T. Administration to get officials from the States of Punjab and Haryana to tide over this crisis and the latest information he received is that the State of Punjab had expressed its inability to send any person on deputation.

He also told the court that he was not yet aware of the response of the State of Haryana.

Against this backdrop, the Court stressed that it cannot be oblivious of the fact that disruption of electricity supply is not only affecting the ordinary residents but may affect institutions like hospitals where patients may be on ventilators and other life support systems.

"Apart from that, there are online examinations and classes which students are taking in many cases, the virtual hearing has been disrupted in this Court also because lawyers are not able to appear due to the fact that there Chandigarh Punjab & Haryana High Court Special Secretary Amit Gupta is no electricity in their offices. In such situations, the disruption of electricity supply can cause irrevocable damage," the Court further added as it asked the Chief Engineer, U.T., Chandigarh to appear before the Court tomorrow.

The Court has also directed that the matter may be placed before the Chief Justice today so that the CJ can mark it to the appropriate bench for tomorrow.