Supreme Court upholds P&H HC decision to construct verandah in front of its CJs court
Supreme Court of India recently upheld the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in directing construction of the verandah in front of its Court Room No. 1 in alignment with the design of the pre-existing verandahs in front of Court Room Nos. 2 to 9.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has said this would not violate the UNESCO guidelines.
Before the Supreme Court, the Chandigarh Administration submitted that it was a matter of grave concern to it the High Court building forms part of the UNESCO4 World Heritage Site, and it may loose its World Heritage status owing to unauthorized deviation/modification in its façade/structure.
"...if so required, the administration would not be precluded from seeking ex-post facto approval for this minimal protective measure which is considered necessary without admitting any exception...", the top court has said in this regard.
Court has also kept the contempt proceedings initiated by the high court in the matter concerning construction of verandah in abeyance for a period of 12 weeks so as to enable the Chandigarh administration to comply with the order.
Supreme Court also considered the requirement of a proper parking space for the lawyers and the litigants is imperative because the pre-existing facility in the High Court has fallen woefully short. In this regard, court has upheld the orders passed by the High Court for placing green paver blocks in the open area being used for parking.
"However, while proceeding to place such green paver blocks, the High Court administration may consult with the landscaping experts and ensure plantation of a suitable number of trees at appropriate intervals so as to facilitate parking of maximum number of vehicles and creating shade as well as shelter for the said vehicles and in addition thereto, increasing the green cover in the area...", top court has ordered.
Case Title: CHANDIGARH ADMINISTRATION vs. REGISTRAR GENERAL, HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA, CHANDIGARH AND OTHERS