NCLT Delhi Bar flags shutdown of its courtrooms after water seepage, writes to MCA for urgent action

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Bar Association has raised urgent concerns with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) after three courtrooms of the Tribunal’s New Delhi Bench were declared unsafe and shut down due to severe water seepage..On September 3, the NCLT issued a public notice informing advocates and litigants that court rooms IV, V and VI on the 8th floor of Block 3 of CGO Complex at Lodhi Road have become structurally unsafe. Continuous leakage from the roof had caused deterioration of the false ceiling, raising risks of collapse, short-circuiting and fire hazards. After inspection, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) confirmed that the courtrooms were unfit for use until repairs and certification were completed.A separate order issued the same day notified that with effect from September 4, all courts of the NCLT New Delhi Bench would function on a half-day basis from the remaining rooms available on the 6th and 7th floors..In its September 4 representation to MCA Secretary Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, the NCLT Bar Association led by President and Senior Advocate UK Chaudhary and Secretary General Saurabh Kalia described the situation as a “complete obstruction in the administration of justice.”“The closure of the 8th floor has exacerbated the situation, bringing the functioning of the NCLT to a near standstill. All courts under the New Delhi Bench are now operating on a half-day basis, resulting in a severe disruption of judicial proceedings,” the Association said.The Bar highlighted that even before the shutdown, court no. VI had been functioning temporarily from court no. V and the premises lacked basic facilities such as a bar room for advocates, a canteen, photocopying services and adequate space for registry staff..The Association noted that a 2018 PIL it filed before the Delhi High Court on the issue remains pending. Although the High Court had directed that the First Floor of the CGO Complex be earmarked for NCLT use, renovation was abruptly halted and possession never handed over.At present, only three courtrooms are functional against the sanctioned six, it said..Commenting on the situation, NCLT Bar Association's President and Senior Advocate UK Chaudhary said: "The persistent roof leakage at NCLT New, Delhi has forced closure of the courtrooms, bringing critical judicial work to a halt. The Ministry must act with urgency to restore full operations. Stakeholders’ trust in the insolvency and company law framework depends on assuring seamless, efficient and timely adjudication.”.The Bar Association passed a resolution on September 3 and warned that if remedial action is not taken immediately, it would be compelled to take all necessary measures to ensure restoration of judicial operations.Copies of the representation have also been marked to the Chief Justice of India, the Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, NCLT President Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and MCA Joint Secretary Anita Shah Akela..[Read Representation]