'Serious Issue': Punjab & Haryana High Court Seeks Expeditious Establishment Of Family Court In Chandigarh

Terming the absence of a Family Court in the Union Territory of Chandigarh "a serious issue", the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notice of motion on a PIL highlighting that no Family Court has been established at the District Courts, Chandigarh, despite the High Court having approved its establishment in 2017.

Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor impleaded the Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, as respondent No. 3 on the oral request of the parties, and directed the Registry to forward a copy of the order to the office of Additional Solicitor General of India Mr. Satya Pal Jain, who may obtain instructions in the meantime or file a reply if required.

"By the next date fixed, we expect the respondents to ensure that adequate steps are taken for establishment of Family Court at Chandigarh, at the earliest possible," the Court added.

The petitioner has been directed to file an amended memo of parties in the Registry within two days. The matter has been listed for September 02.

The petition asserts that Chandigarh, celebrated as the "City Beautiful" and known for its green cover, has failed to provide even basic facilities to its residents inasmuch as no separate and independent Family Court has been established at the District Courts, Chandigarh by the UT Administration, arrayed as respondent No. 1.

It is pleaded that the very object of establishing separate Family Courts at the district level is to provide speedy and efficacious settlement of disputes concerning marriage and family affairs, and that the District Courts, Chandigarh continue to await the requisite notification from the Administration. The petitioner alleges that respondent No. 1 has slept over its constitutional obligation under Article 256 of the Constitution of India for nine years.

According to the petition, the establishment of a Family Court at Chandigarh was approved as far back as 2017, and the file has since awaited nothing more than a notification.

The petitioner states that he learnt of the absence of a Family Court at Chandigarh only this year, through a newspaper report. An application seeking information was made to the Public Information Officer, District Courts, Chandigarh, who relegated the petitioner to the PIO of the High Court. A fresh application was then filed before the PIO, Punjab and Haryana High Court in June 2026, and the reply is said to reflect a "shocking state of affairs".

It was submitted that as per the disclosure, on 06.10.2017, the Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court were pleased to approve the establishment of one Family Court at Chandigarh, and a specific request was made on the same day to the UT Administration to convey sanction of the post of a Judicial Officer of the rank of District and Sessions Judge, together with supporting staff and their respective pay scales.

Thereafter, between 16.02.2018 and 29.04.2025, the High Court is stated to have addressed a series of communications and reminders to the Administration seeking issuance of the necessary notification for setting up two Family Courts, along with sanction of two posts of Judicial Officers of the rank of District and Sessions Judge with supporting staff, the plea stated.

Appearance: Mr. Kanwar Pahul Singh, Advocate, for the petitioner; Mr. Abhinav Sood, Addl. Standing Counsel, U.T.; Mr. Himanshu Malik, Jr. Standing Counsel, U.T.; Mr. Akshay Sharma, Advocate, for respondent No. 1/U.T.; Ms. Madhu Dayal, Advocate, for respondent No. 2

Title: People Welfare Society v UT Chandigarh & Ors