State Assures Compliance Of Norms, High Court Permits Shifting Of Gurugram District Court To 'Tower Of Justice'

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday directed the Haryana state authorities to shift the Gurugram District Courts to the newly constructed Judicial Courts Complex (Tower of Justice) forthwith, holding that any further delay would prejudice the public interest as judicial work has been severely disrupted following the recent fire at the existing court complex.The Court recorded the statement of the Engineer-in-Chief (Buildings)-cum-HOD, Haryana, PWD (B&R), that the building was complete in all respects and complied with all statutory norms and "there is no deviation from the norms in the complex prescribed for EC, and that the building complies with all statutory norms for EC." In view of the statement, it permitted the State authorities to carry out the shifting forthwith, notwithstanding that the formal approvals from the Pollution Control Board and the Fire Department were still awaited.Yesterday, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor had taken serious note of the "continued delay" in completion of the new court complex, pointing that judicial work is presently being carried out from a guest house.In today's proceedings, the State submitted that it has complied with all the statutory requirements of the Fire Department, and that the formalities for Environmental Clearance have been initiated."Considering the peculiar facts prevailing at the District Judgeship, Gurugram, where the judicial work is severely curtailed, we are of the view that the shifting of the District Judgeship, Gurugram to the New Judicial Courts Complex, Gurugram (Tower of Justice) at Gurugram is inevitable in the predominant public interest," the judges today observed.The Court said that ordinarily it would have awaited completion of all formalities before permitting occupation of the new building. However, considering that judicial work in Gurugram had been severely curtailed after the fire, any further delay in shifting the courts would be detrimental to the public at large.The Court was dealing with a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated on April 29, 2026, over the inordinate delay in completing the new court complex, which was originally scheduled for completion by October 30, 2020. Despite repeated assurances from the State authorities and multiple extensions, the construction remained incomplete.During the pendency of the matter, a major fire broke out in the existing court complex, destroying a significant number of records and rendering the building unsafe for occupation. The District Judiciary has since been functioning from a guest house, with only urgent matters being taken up.On July 1, 2026, the State authorities informed the Court that the new building was complete and ready for handover, with a proposed inauguration date of July 12. However, a subsequent inspection report submitted by the District and Sessions Judge, Gurugram highlighted several deficiencies, including incomplete interior and exterior works, lack of furniture, flooding in the basement due to sewer backflow, and pending statutory clearances such as Environmental Clearance and fire safety approvals, noted the Court.When the Court confronted with the report, the State, through the Engineer-in-Chief (Buildings)-cum-HOD, Haryana PWD (B&R), assured the Court that all pending works had since been completed and that the building now complies with all statutory requirements. It was further assured that any remaining shortcomings would be rectified without delay. The State also informed that fire safety clearance is expected imminently, while the process for obtaining environmental clearance has been initiated.Taking into account the urgent need to restore normal judicial functioning and the public inconvenience caused due to curtailed court operations, the Court deemed it appropriate to allow immediate shifting to the new complex, even as certain formal approvals are awaited.Accordingly, the Court permitted the State authorities to proceed with the relocation of the District Courts to the new Judicial Courts Complex and to carry forward the formal inauguration process. The State has been directed to file an affidavit of compliance before the next hearing on July 21, 2026.Mr. Deepak Balyan, Addl., AG, Haryana.Click here to read order

State Assures Compliance Of Norms, High Court Permits Shifting Of Gurugram District Court To 'Tower Of Justice'

Aiman J. Chishti

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Aiman J. Chishti

State Assures Compliance Of Norms, High Court Permits Shifting Of Gurugram District Court To 'Tower Of Justice'

Aiman J. Chishti

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Aiman J. Chishti

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