Judiciary A 'Third Pillar Of Democracy', Seems To Be Treated Shabbily By State Govt: Punjab & Haryana HC On Lack Of Judge's Accommodation

The Punjab & Haryana High Court takes a "a serious view of the sad situation where it seems that the State of Punjab is treating the third pillar of democracy (Judiciary) very shabbily." The development came while hearing the two Public Interest Litigations filed by the District Bar Association, Malerkotla pertaining to the shortage of space in District Courts and accommodation for judicial officers in Punjab and Haryana.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, that the "Court is compelled to pass stringent orders to avoid the situation from becoming worse in the face of a new batch of newly recruited judicial officers joining in March/April, 2025."The Court noted that in Sub Division Derabassi, District Mohali, 03 Judicial Officers are holding Court on the ground floor of a double storied building in which Sub Divisional Magistrate's office is situated on the first floor."If we compare the condition of the SDM's office on the first floor and the condition of the 03 Judicial Courts on the ground floor, there is a stark difference. The SDM's office on the first floor is renovated, well furnished and well kept in a habitable state, whereas the ground floor of the same building housing three Courts is dilapidated and is virtually screaming for repairs and renovation," added the bench."In the compelling circumstances", the Court directed the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Derabassi to vacate the premises on the first floor within a period of two weeks from today and report compliance.It further added that the competent authority under the Punjab Government is directed to issue allotment order of the entire building on the first as well as ground floor in favour of the Sub Divisional Judicial Courts, Derabassi, Mohali for occupation of the Judicial Officers for holding Court.While listing the matter for January 07, the Court directed the Punjab Government to ensure that the repairs of the ground floor of the building are completed before the next date of hearing and compliance report is filed alongwith photographs of the ground and first floor in repaired, "fully furnished and habitable state."Mr. S.S. Behl, Advocate (through video conferencing), Mr. Gaurav Vir Singh Behl, Advocate, for the petitioner in CWP-PIL-170-2024.Mr. Sandeep Arora, Advocate, for the petitioner in CWP-PIL-249-2024.Mr. Salil Sabhlok, Senior Deputy Advocate General, PunjabMr. Alok Shekhar Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary (Justice), Punjab (through video conferencing).Mr. Amarinder Singh, Deputy Secretary, Department of Justice, Punjab.Mr. Tarun Garg, Additional Chief Architect, PWD (B&R) Branch, Punjab.Mr. Deepak Balyan, Additional Advocate General, Haryana.Mr. Abhinav Sood, Additional Standing Counsel, with Mr. Nitesh Jhajhria, Advocate,Ms. Mehndi Singhal, Advocate for U.T., Chandigarh.Mr. Gaurav Chopra, Senior Advocate, with Mr. Shobit Phutela, Advocate, Ms. Sanya Kapoor, Advocate, for respondent No. 4 – High Court.Title: District Bar Association, Malerkotla v. State of Punjab and othersClick here to read/download the order

Judiciary A 'Third Pillar Of Democracy', Seems To Be Treated Shabbily By State Govt: Punjab & Haryana HC On Lack Of Judge's Accommodation

Aiman J. Chishti

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