Move to Sarangpur: Punjab and Haryana High Court CJ Sheel Nagu says no decision until a nod from the Bar

Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain informed the court that the bar, along with officials of the UT administration, had held two meetings on August 7 and 20 to discuss various issues regarding the HC building. “We shortlisted two options; one is constructing a six-storey block with three levels of basement parking opposite the Bar Association hall. This would add around 16 courtrooms, but the cost is estimated at Rs 200 crore, and UNESCO’s concurrence would be needed,” he said.

The second option is shifting the high court to Sarangpur, where 48.8 acres have been earmarked for a modern complex with 42 lakh sq ft of built-up area, 140 courtrooms, and eight entry-exit points. The UT administration has promised to widen approach roads and build a six-lane flyover to manage traffic. However, the Chief Justice stressed that this decision cannot move forward without the Bar’s approval. “This is a very important decision. Unless the general body agrees, we cannot go ahead,” CJ Nagu observed.

In the course of the hearing, Advocate R S Khosla said it was with “great sadness” that he was informing the court that the Bar was excluded from the building committee meetings. “Earlier, the Bar president and secretary were always consulted. This colonial mindset has to change,” Khosla said. The Chief Justice assured, “We will rectify this in the future.”

The CJ also enquired about some unused land jutting out from the Rock Garden. To this, ASG Jain said he was aware of it and would get back to the court after studying the various possibilities of using it.

Advocate Aashish Chopra suggested exploring land originally reserved for a Governor’s Palace, which he claimed is outside the core Capitol Complex area and may not require UNESCO clearance.

Meanwhile, UT standing counsel Amit Jhanji updated the court on the kacha parking project in Sector 17, stating that the plans were approved on August 20. CJ Nagu also directed the UT administration to share the drawings with the Bar.

The Bar and Bench agreed that a multi-level parking facility and additional courtrooms within the current complex could be built in two to three years, while the new complex may take a decade.

The matter will be taken up next on September 12, with the court awaiting the Bar’s general body resolution and updated compliance from the UT administration.