Sikkim High Court Forms Bar Members' Panel To Probe Dilapidated Infrastructure At Government Law College
The Sikkim High Court has constituted a committee of 5 bar members to examine the dilapidated infrastructure of the Government Law College in Burtuk, in a suo motu public interest litigation.
The said PIL was initiated by the High Court after students and members of the Representative Council made a representation before the Chief Justice on September 11, 2026. It was claimed that the College Building was in a "severely dilapidated state, posing a potential risk to the safety and lives of the students".
The division bench of Chief Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan, after hearing the submissions, directed:
"Having considered these issues, this Court is of the view that there is a need to appoint a Fact-Finding Committee for an inquiry by the Members of the Bar Associations of Sikkim and for submission of a report before this Court".
Thus, the bench appointed Senior Advocate Karna Thinlay Namgyal as Convenor, with Senior Advocate Tashi Rapten Barfungpa, Deputy Solicitor General Sangita Pradhan, Advocate Zola Megi, and Advocate Kazi Sangay Thupden as members of the committee.
During the hearing, the bench heard the submissions of three students who brought the alleged infrastructure deficiencies to the Court's attention and showed photographs of the college building to demonstrate its condition.
After the submission, the bench identified several issues that required examination, especially the structural integrity of the college building. The other issues that were identified were:
- Lack of proper library facilities as required per the Bar Council of India rules
-Absence of adequate moot court halls
- Lack of proper conference hall/auditoriums for seminars
- Absence of hostel facilities for students
- Insufficient washrooms and toilets
- Lack of sports facilities
Separately, the court directed the Structural Engineer of the Buildings and Housing Department to inspect the Law College building immediately and submit a report on its structural stability before the next hearing.
The bench also recorded the submissions of the Additional Advocate General that arrangements have been made to conduct both offline and online classes at the college.
Additionally, the Court directed the State Government
"We also want the State Government to file a statement before this Court as to the measures they propose to take and the timeline within which these measures would be undertaken".
The court listed the matter for September 29, 2026, for further consideration.
Case Title: In Re Dilapidated Condition of Infrastructure of Sikkim Government Law College, WP(PIL) No.13 of 2026
For Respondents: Additional Advocate General Zangpo Sherpa, with Government Advocates Thinlay Dorjee Bhutia, S. K. Chettri, and Assistant Government Advocate Sujan Sunwar