Punjab & Haryana High Court lawyers to vote on proposal to relocate High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association (PHHCBA) is set to decide, through voting, whether to shift the High Court from its present premises or not.

The High Court, located in Sector 1 of Chandigarh, lies within the catchment area of Sukhna Lake and forms part of the Chandigarh Capitol Complex, which holds UNESCO World Heritage status. These factors limit the scope for its expansion at its current location.

At present, there is a proposal to either construct a few additional courtrooms at the existing site, subject to several restrictions, or to shift the High Court to an entirely new location. The Bar is divided on the issue.

PHHCBA's Executive Committee, on August 20, unanimously approved a resolution to shift the High Court to Sarangpur village within the Union Territory of Chandigarh, where a new building would be constructed.

A total of 48.865 acres has been earmarked for this purpose, providing approximately 42 lakh square feet of constructed area for the exclusive use of the High Court in Sarangpur. 15 acres have already been allotted.

On the other hand, there is an alternative proposal to construct a new complex opposite the PHHCBA Bar Room, where two-level underground parking and three floors above ground could be constructed. This would add 16 courtrooms at a cost of about ₹200 crores. This would also require approval of the World Heritage Committee as per the UNESCO Guidelines.

Against its sanctioned strength of 85, the High Court only has 69 operational courtrooms.

On August 22, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Ramesh Kumari ordered that the Executive Committee resolution be placed before the General Body of PHHCBA

“What about the general body? This is a very important decision, unless the general body agrees, I don’t think we should go ahead,” the Chief Justice remarked during the hearing of a case related to infrastructure issues being faced by the High Court.

“Let the said resolution of the Executive committee be placed before the General Body which, if passed, would be accepted by this court, not otherwise,” the Court said in its order. 

Consequently, the PHHCBA today announced that a poll will be held to decide whether to shift the Court or not. In a notice to bar members, the Association said that the alternative proposal of creating more courtrooms at the present premises would take at least five years and may still not be sufficient.

"All this would require about 1 year and 6 months for approval IF GRANTED, the final approval being required to be given by UNESCO. Thereafter, it would take more than 5 years to complete the project with lot of congestion, dust, blockades and reduction of parking space while the construction work takes place, due to construction material, machinery and vehicles," it said

On the proposal to shift to Sarangpur, the PHHCBA said that the new location would provide sufficient space for the next 20-25 years.

"Sarangpur also has the main metro station planned which would enhance connectivity besides which connectivity would be from various major roads including the planned flyover from PGI side, the marble market being removed for widening the road to 200 feet and many roads coming in from District Mohalli and the Airport side. All this would decongest traffic ingress and outgress to the proposed High Court which would have entry exit from all four directions with two gates each," it added.

Both projects are likely to take roughly 5 to 7 years, as per the association.

In an appeal asking the members to cast their vote, the PHHBCA said,

"The decision is yours for which you must cast your valuable vote."

The voting process and dates will be notified in due course, as per PHHCBA Secretary Gagandeep Jammu.