State Govt To Bear All Expenses To Reconstruct Case Records Gutted In Fire That Broke Out At AG's Office, Allahabad HC Told

The Uttar Pradesh Government has informed the Allahabad High Court that it has decided to bear all expenses regarding the reconstruction of case records that were gutted in the fire that broke out on the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth floors of the State Advocate General Office on July 17.

The State Government has also informed the Court that it has formed 4 Members Committee comprising Mr. Manish Goyal, Additional Advocate General, Mr. M.C. Chaturvedi, Additional Advocate General, Mr. Shiv Kumar Pal, Government Advocate, and Mr. K.R. Singh Chief Standing Counsel to make sure that no inconvenience is caused to the Courts and to ensure that urgent and necessary steps were taken to restore the files destroyed in the fire and also to take measure to make the State Law Office functional.

It may be noted that on August 16, the Allahabad High Court had asked the UP govt as to what steps/measures have been taken by the State for the reconstruction of records that were gutted in the fire on July 17.

Read more about the remarks made by the Court here: Court, Lawyers Not Aware Of Efforts Made By State To Reconstruct Case Records Gutted In Fire At AG's Office: Allahabad High Court

Pursuant to Court's order, the Government of Uttar Pradesh submitted that it is very serious about the issues relating to the fire incident and was committed to ensuring the smooth functioning of the Courts. It was further informed that the Principal Secretary (law) / Legal Remembrance was extending full support and taking much pain in getting the decisions taken by the committed executed. Several directions have been issued by him to the authorities concerned for the betterment of smooth functioning.

It was also submitted that pursuant to the order of the Court that for facilitating the process of reconstruction of records and to meet the expenses thereof, a budget of Rs. 1,98,30,000/- has also been sanctioned and released in favor of Government Advocate, High Court, Allahabad. The decision has also been taken to purchase ten photocopier machines from the sanctioned budget.

Considering the urgent need, the Court was informed that four photocopier machines have been immediately installed on the premises of the office of the Advocate General at Allahabad for the purpose of reconstruction of record, which has started working. Photostat of the records will be done free of cost.

Significantly, the Court was also assured by the Government Advocate that a list of cases that have been reduced to ashes or destroyed will also be issued/published and a copy of the same shall also be provided to the Bar Association, so that there may not be any confusion amongst the members of the bar.

Lastly, it is submitted that the best possible efforts are being made to restore the functioning of the State office and to ensure that the files/instructions are available in the Courts.

Against this backdrop, the Court expresses its satisfaction with the speedy steps taken by the State Government pursuant to the order of the High Court for the reconstruction of records and also, the decision taken by the State government that the additional burden of expenses of reconstruction of records shall not be put on the lawyers and the litigants.

Lastly, the Court expressed its hope and trust that the State Government would leave no stone unturned to complete this task and to restore the normal functioning of the state office at Allahabad at the earliest.

Case title - Vikram Singh v. State of U.P. and Another [CRIMINAL APPEAL No. - 729 of 2022]

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