HC Summons Chief Secretary Over Delay in Strengthening Judicial Infrastructure
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken a stern view of the delay in strengthening judicial infrastructure in the state, summoning the Chief Secretary to explain the reasons for the slow pace of work. The court expressed its displeasure over the lack of progress in several projects aimed at improving facilities in district courts and subordinate judiciary.
Hearing a petition related to the matter, a division bench comprising Chief Justice L. Narayana Swamy and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua directed the Chief Secretary to appear before the court on the next date of hearing. The court noted that despite earlier orders, the state government had not taken adequate steps to complete the pending works.
Details of the Case
The petition highlighted that several court buildings in the state are in dire need of renovation and expansion. The lack of proper infrastructure has been affecting the functioning of the judiciary, leading to delays in disposal of cases. The court observed that the state government had been allocated funds for these projects, but the utilization has been poor.
The bench remarked that the judiciary is an essential pillar of democracy and it is the responsibility of the state to provide adequate facilities. The court warned that if the progress does not improve, it may consider initiating contempt proceedings against the officials concerned.
Government's Response
The state government, through its counsel, submitted that efforts were being made to expedite the work, but certain administrative and financial hurdles had caused delays. The court, however, was not satisfied with the explanation and demanded a concrete timeline for completion of all pending projects.
The Chief Secretary has been asked to file a personal affidavit detailing the steps taken and the reasons for the delay. The matter is now posted for further hearing after two weeks.
