The hearing was part of a public interest litigation pending since 2024.
HC Criticises Punjab Govt Over Years of Delay in Housing for Judges
The Punjab and Haryana High Court criticised the Punjab government for its long-standing failure to provide basic infrastructure for courts and judicial officers across the state on Friday. The observations were made by a Division Bench that was headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry during a hearing on infrastructural gaps in Malerkotla and other districts.
According to proceedings reported in open court, Chief Justice Nagu expressed strong displeasure that districts such as Mohali, Moga, and Pathankot still do not have permanent residences for district and sessions judges, despite having been carved out years ago. The Chief Justice called the situation “strange” and “shocking” and directed the state’s counsel to explain why such a fundamental requirement remained unaddressed.
The hearing was part of a public interest litigation pending since 2024. It was related to inadequate judicial infrastructure in Malerkotla. During the session, the state’s counsel informed the Bench that two additional courtrooms had been constructed in Malerkotla and work on a new family court was underway. The counsel also said a technical survey had declared the Deputy Commissioner’s guest house and the Senior Superintendent of Police’s residence unsafe for conversion into courtrooms. Administrative challenges—such as the presence of a control room at the SSP’s residence and the DC holding court proceedings at his premises—were also cited.
However, the High Court rejected the state’s request for more time to comply with its earlier order dated September 12, which had directed that both the DC’s guest house and the SSP’s residence in Malerkotla be vacated “forthwith” for use by the district and sessions judge. The Bench granted only a limited extension until December 5 for compliance.
The matter was revealed shortly after related developments in the Supreme Court, where Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi reportedly pulled up the Punjab government for its failure to create even basic judicial infrastructure despite repeated directions. The Supreme Court observed that funds meant for the judiciary may have been diverted elsewhere. Justice Kant remarked that state officials “are building houses for themselves but cannot construct courts.”
The High Court’s latest remarks add further pressure on the Punjab government to modernise and prioritise judicial infrastructure—which is an essential backbone of the justice delivery system.
