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‘Strange and shocking’: HC raps Punjab govt over lack of housing for judiciary, directs it to comply with Malerkotla order

The Punjab government’s plea before the high court had sought modification of the September 12 order which had directed that the residences of the Malerkotla DC and the SSP be vacated for use by the district and sessions judge.

3 min readNov 21, 2025 04:50 PM IST

The Punjab and Haryana High Court strongly criticized the Punjab Government because of its failure to provide permanent homes for judges in several districts. (File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday pulled up the Punjab government for what it called the “strange” and “shocking” failure to provide permanent residential accommodation for the judiciary in several districts, as the state sought more time to comply with the court’s September 12 directions.

A division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry questioned the state after it emerged during the hearing that the district and sessions judges of Moga, Mohali and Pathankot were living in requisitioned houses. “Why is it so? This is not only strange but shocking,” CJ Nagu remarked, asking the state to explain why basic housing had not been ensured despite these districts being in existence for years.

On Friday, the matter was heard in the context of Punjab’s plea seeking modification of the September 12 order which had directed that the guest house of the Deputy Commissioner and the residence of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Malerkotla be vacated “forthwith” for use by the district and sessions judge, and asked the Building Committee to reconsider the status of two temporary courtrooms.

In the Supreme Court earlier this week, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing with Advocate General Maninder Singh Bedi, sought three months’ time to demonstrate progress, saying the state was not asking for a recall of the order but only a reasonable extension.

The counsel for the court questioned Punjab’s conduct before the Supreme Court. He noted that when the state withdrew its Special Leave Petition (SLP) on November 14, the apex court granted it limited liberty to approach the high court only for an extension of time. It was also pointed out that the SLP did not disclose that the high court had already rejected the state’s review petition on October 1.

‘Attempt to revive issues’
The counsel for the court submitted that the state was attempting to “re-agitate issues that have already attained finality”, including pleas that the DC and SSP of Malerkotla should not be shifted.

Appearing for Punjab, Senior Deputy Advocate General Salil Sabhlok told the bench that two new courtrooms had been constructed in Malerkotla and work on a family court had begun. He said revised architectural drawings for judicial housing were submitted to the high court’s Building Committee on September 25 and were awaiting approval. He also cited a technical assessment declaring the Public Work Department’s (PWD) guest house and SSP residence unsafe for conversion into courtrooms.

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The bench, however, expressed scepticism. “We have seen how the state functions in Gurugram. We are still waiting for that Tower of Justice,” CJ Nagu observed, adding that Haryana had moved faster on similar projects.

The counsel for Punjab pleaded difficulties in vacating the DC and SSP residences, citing the presence of a police control room and office facilities that needed relocation. Sabhlok said the issue was causing “severe pressure” on the administrative side and asked for additional time before the state was held liable for non-compliance.

“For the time being, we are granting you time to comply with the order dated September 12,” the bench said, posting the matter for December 5.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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