The final decision to transfer the Punjab and Haryana High Court will now be in the hands of the Bar Association (PHHCBA). The decision to expand the existing campus of the High Court or shift it to a new place will be decided by voting.
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The High Court is currently located in Sector-1 of Chandigarh, which is part of the Catchment Area of Sukhna Lake and the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Capital Complex”.
This is the reason that the possibility of its expansion is almost over and new options were being searched for a long time. In the same sequence, on August 20, the Executive Committee of PHHCBA unanimously passed a proposal to transfer the High Court to Saranagpur village of Chandigarh.
Will be able to meet the needs for 25 years According to the proposal, 48.865 acres of land has been set to build a new complex of the High Court in Saranagpur, out of which 15 acres have already been allotted. A new building of an area of about 42 lakh square feet will be prepared here, which will be able to meet the needs for the next 20 to 25 years.
The association says that Saranagpur is a better option as the metro station is proposed here, flyover, wide roads and better connectivity to Mohali and Airport will be available by PGI. Also, the facility of entry-exit from all four directions and the possibility of movement without traffic jams make it more suitable.
Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The idea on another option is also going on The plan to expand in the current campus is also being seen as an alternative. Under this, a new complex can be constructed in front of the bar room. It will have a two -storey underground parking and three floors above. This will add about 16 new courtrooms. The cost of this scheme has been estimated at around 200 crores.
However, this construction work will be possible only after getting approval from UNESCO. The association says that the process of approval will take at least one and a half years and after that construction may take more than five years. During this time, problems in the campus, parking problems, dust and movement will increase.
Strict court remarks On August 22, a division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Ramesh Kumari said during the hearing that only an important decision like shifting the High Court cannot take the executive committee. It should be placed before the general body of the association. The court clarified that it will not be recognized until the General Body passes the proposal.
Bar Association’s stance PHHCBA has said in a notice issued to the bar members that the option of expansion in the existing campus will take a long time and still will not be able to fully meet the needs of the High Court. While the new campus in Saranagpur will be a permanent solution and will be rich in facilities. The association said that both schemes may take 5 to 7 years, but the option of Saranagpur will prove to be better for the future.
Now the final decision by the vote of lawyers Now the decision to shift or not to the High Court will be decided by the voting of the lawyers of the Bar Association. Voting date and procedure will be announced soon. PHHCBA Secretary Gagandeep Jammu said that “This decision is about to influence historical and future. So all members must cast their valuable votes.”
Right now the High Court is small as per the requirement Currently, the High Court has an sanctioned capacity of 85 courtrooms, but currently only 69 courtrooms are functional. In view of the increasing cases and the needs of the judicial structure, this decision on the expansion or transfer of the High Court is considered very important.
