HC seeks timeline for Kalka judicial complex, raps executive for delay

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Haryana Chief Secretary to submit an affidavit specifying the timeline for initiating the construction of the judicial complex and residential houses for judicial officers in Kalka Sub-Division.

The court made it clear that it would not allow executive authorities to delay the process.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel passed the order while hearing a petition filed in public interest by Vijay Bansal against the State of Haryana and other respondents.

The Bench noted that a “communication gap” and a “serious dispute” had emerged regarding the location of the land for the project between the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) and the State of Haryana.

“This court would not like to allow any kind of delay on the part of the executive authorities to delay the process of initiation of construction of judicial complex and residential houses for the judicial officers in Kalka Sub Division, District Panchkula,” the Bench observed.

The court directed the Chief Secretary to file the affidavit detailing the steps to be taken and the proposed timeline for the project’s completion.

“Affidavit of Chief Secretary of the State of Haryana be filed giving timeline for initiation of the process of construction of judicial complex and residential houses for judicial officers delineating various steps proposed to be taken till conclusion of the construction work,” the Bench concluded before fixing the case for further hearing on March 7