PIL over poor condition of Akhnoor court building
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Rajesh Bindal today took serious note of poor condition of Akhnoor court building and directed Secretary, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary, Finance and Secretary, PWD to appear in person.
The direction has been passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an Advocate seeking direction to Registrar General to make an alternative arrangement till the new court complex is constructed as the present complex has been declared unsafe by the concerned department.
During the course of hearing Advocate Ajay Bakshi submitted that the Munsiff Court Akhnoor building was constructed in the year 1964 and since then there is no renovation as a result of which building is in dilapidated condition.
The DB was informed that Presiding Officer of the court had given the representation to the District and Session Judge vide Letter No. 237/MA dated 13-11-2019 on the administrative side and also to other respondents but nothing has been done till date.
Stating that PIL highlights very serious matter, the DB observed, “despite service of an advance copy in the office of the Advocate General nobody has appeared”, adding “this is yet another case when none bothers to appear, let alone, assist this court in passing any meaningful order”.
Accordingly, the DB issued notices to the Secretary, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary, Finance, and Secretary, PWD (R&B) for appearance in person on September 30, 2020.
“If any loss of life or property results because of the facts brought out by the petitioner, Secretary, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary, Finance, and Secretary, PWD shall be personally liable for the same and for compensation”, the DB made it clear.
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