Judicial proceedings in Gurgaon are set to remain largely suspended until June 1, following the district bar association's declaration of 'no work days' in response to a devastating fire that severely damaged the court complex. Although temporary courts have been established in rooms at the PWD guesthouse, the absence of essential supporting infrastructure is significantly hindering judicial operations.
Temporary Courts Face Space Constraints
Judges are currently conducting makeshift court proceedings from guesthouse rooms. A fully functional courtroom requires adequate space for a judge, stenographer, reader, prosecution, lawyers, and involved parties. Guesthouse rooms are simply too small to accommodate such numbers. Additionally, there is no designated workspace for lawyers, who are forced to operate from the damaged judicial complex.
The bar association has strongly advised advocates to avoid visiting the court premises altogether. The judiciary has assured that no adverse orders will be passed in any matter during this period. Courts are scheduled to close for a month-long summer break starting June 1.
Emergency Meeting and Resolutions
An emergency meeting of the bar association's governing body was convened on Tuesday evening. During the meeting, members unanimously resolved that, given the current state of court infrastructure, lawyers are not required to appear until June 1 unless absolutely necessary. Bar association president Chandra Kant Sharma stated that advocates handling urgent matters may attend to them but should leave the premises immediately afterward. 'Advocates are advised not to remain in the court complex unnecessarily,' he emphasized.
Secretary Rahul Dhankar announced that, due to safety concerns, the C-Block parking area will remain closed until June 1. 'Since no appearance is required in any matter, it will effectively be treated as a no work day,' he said.
The governing body is scheduled to meet again on June 1 to decide the future course of action.
Lawyers Express Concerns
One lawyer questioned the practicality of the decision, stating, 'If we do not visit the court, how will we meet our clients, carry out paperwork, and approach court?' He added that the no work day decision offers no relief to litigants. 'This will deprive lawyers of their income, and litigants will have to wait longer for relief.'
Fire Aftermath and Structural Safety
The fire, which broke out on Sunday, ravaged 21 courtrooms, including Ahlmad rooms and retiring chambers, forcing an immediate shutdown of the complex. Officials confirmed that the Executive Engineer (PWD B&R) has been directed to conduct a full structural safety verification before permitting re-entry.
Temporary courts have been functioning at the PWD guesthouse, where only urgent matters such as bail and stay applications are being heard. By Tuesday, most records and ongoing judicial proceedings had been shifted to the PWD Rest House under an alternative arrangement.
