J&K High Court flooded; CJI Lodha asks govt to ensure High Court functions

With Jammu & Kashmir being hit by the worst flood in 60 years, the Srinagar Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir has also suffered extensive damage. Situated in the very heart of the city, the High Court has been swamped with excess rainwater..In this regard, the Supreme Court has today asked the Central Government to put urgent efforts to support the High Court, even if the court works out of a single room. The court was hearing a batch of petitions seeking the “relief, rescue and rehabilitation” of the victims of the Kashmir flood..A Bench headed by Chief justice of India R.M. Lodha observed,.“Constitutional offices must work…Location is not important, what is important is that the high court starts functioning.”.The CJI has asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to take steps to ensure the same..Even as rescue operations continue, it will be some time before the court resumes functioning. In fact, the flood has damaged a number of documents and records, and only time will tell how much of an impact this will have on pending matters..The lawyers’ community has also launched some relief efforts. Speaking to Bar & Bench, Supreme Court Bar Association President PH Parekh said, “The SCBA is raising money from its SCBA members and the same will be sent for the relief of flood victims. We are also planning to collect items like blankets, clothes and medicines to send to Kashmir.”.Photo:PTI