Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh inaugurated, New Judicial Courts Complex constructed at the cost of Rs. 41 crore, here today and congratulated the judicial fraternity for having an impressive and sprawling Judicial Complex. Chief Justice, Kurian Joseph, presided over the function. Justice R.B Misra and all other Judges of High Court were present on the occasion.
While addressing the august gathering, Virbhadra Singh said that the shifting of the district Courts from the existing district courts complex would not only bring respite to both the advocates and the people but would also ease congestion. He said that the expenditure incurred on the construction of this huge complex was the highest ever being spent on construction of any government building in the State.
Virbhadra Singh said that the complex which comprises of two very big blocks with four storeys each including basement, would cater all the basic facilities to judicial officers, their staff including the advocates and the people under one roof. In terms of carpet area it is also second to the State Secretariat building and equivalent to the State High Court, he said.
Referring it as one of the best Judicial Complex in the Country the Chief Minister said that besides ensuring comfort to the litigants and the judges the State government was committed to facilitate and help judiciary to work in most congenial atmosphere. “In case any more Judicial complex or residential accommodation was required by the judicial officers/officials, the government was ever-ready to provide them the facility” said the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister also lauded the efforts of the engineers of the Public Works Department and the contractors who finished the construction of this elegant structure within stipulated time period. He said that the government would ensure that all the roads leading towards the complex are properly metalled with proper drainage system. He said that the complex requires beautification and the demand for construction of the chambers for advocates would be considered sympathetically.
Chief Minister hoped that with better working environment and facilities provided in the new courts complex, the delivery of services to the people would also get fillip. The Chief Minister announced Rupees five lakh for providing additional facilities for the Library.
Chief Justice, Kurian Joseph in his address said that it was a great moment of joy that one of the best buildings of the country had been dedicated. He recalled the efforts of the then Chief Justice, V.K. Gupta who had conceived the idea and later, Justice R.B. Misra, Justice Deepak Gupta and other judges played a pivotal role in realising the dream come true.
He said that it was our duty to administer justice to the people and while doing so the public interest should be kept in mind. He stressed for co-operation of all concerned in delivering effective services and disposing off the cases expeditiously. He said our duty was to facilitate the public by giving them justice in time bound manner. He said that our fellow friends should deliver justice to the poor, needy and the sufferers and instil in them the confidence, in our working. “We should rise to the majesty of the Institution” he said, as this was a public institution which was for and of the people. Joseph expressed his gratitude to the State government and the engineers of the PWD department for completing the elegant structure in time bound manner.
While speaking on the occasion, Justice R. B. Misra said that the new judicial courts complex constructed on a beautiful hill top had been so designed as to facilitate everybody. He thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating the project to the people and said that Judiciary, Executive and Legislature were the foremost pillars of development in a democratic set-up. He hoped that the judicial fraternity would now be able to work in a better way and deliver services more efficiently besides providing relief to the people who come to the courts for justice.
Earlier, Sandeep Datta, President, District Bar Association welcomed the Chief Minister and said that this was the first district courts complex in the country constructed with a vision of next coming 100 years. He expressed gratitude to Virbhadra Singh for making contribution and taking initiative for this courts complex to come up during his last tenure as Chief Minister.
He also placed before the Chief Minister the demand for funds for the library and construction of chambers for advocates. P.S. Samyal, CJM Shimla proposed vote of thanks.
Justice Deepak Gupta. Justice D. D. Sood, Justice V. K. Ahuja, Justice S. S. Thakur, Justice Sanjay Karol, Justice Kuldeep Singh, Justice Rajiv Sharma, Justice V.K. Sharma, Justice D. K. Chaudhry, MLA Anirudh Singh, Chairman HP Agriculture Marketing Board Subhash Manglet, Chief Secretary Sudripta Roy, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, V.C. Pharka, Advisor to Chief Minister, T.G. Negi, Advocate General, Shravan Dogra, Secretary, GAD, Bharat Khera, D.C. Shimla,. Dinesh Malhotra, SP Shimla, Abhishek Dhullar, Municipal Commissioner, Shimla, Amarjeet Singh, Engineer-in-Chief PWD Shri Pradeep Chauhan, Retired Judges, advocates and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
