The Himachal Pradesh high court has once again deferred the shifting of district courts to newly constructed complex at Chakkar. The decision has come despite the government having placed on record that, barring additional parking, the complex has sufficient space for the functioning of 21 court rooms.
A division bench presided over by Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice V K Ahuja directed the stay order for transferring the district court complex from city centre to Chakkar. Bench also directed the government to take a decision on approval of a multistoried parking and ensure that the facilities are made available within six months. The plans for the parking complex were submitted in 2009, the judges observed.
The decision to shift the district courts was taken in May 2007. About Rs 30-cr has already been spent. Although the new district court complex has been constructed under the express orders and direct supervision of high court, the Shimla district bar association has opposed the move to shift into the new complex and petitioned the court. A year ago, when plans were afoot to move the courts into the new complex, lawyers had resorted to a long drawn agitation and gone on strike.
