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7h ago

Bench Orders Bar Vote as Centre and UT Face Off Over High Court Expansion on Forest Land

Judges set September 26 for the next hearing pending a Bar general house decision on staying in Sector 1 or relocating to Sarangpur.

UT’s is of the view that expansion at current site may take place on around 2 lakh square meter area only and can’t be allowed into reserved forest area. (HT File photo)
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Overview

  • UT counsel told the court the adjoining tract is notified reserved forest within the Sukhna wetland eco‑sensitive zone and cannot be de‑reserved for expansion.
  • Additional Solicitor‑General Satya Pal Jain accused the administration of stonewalling and argued the obstacle is willpower rather than law.
  • The division bench asked the High Court Bar Association to convene a general house around September 22 to indicate a preference between expansion on the present site or a shift to Sarangpur.
  • The court was informed of an approved UT plan for two additional floors housing 16 courtrooms with two basement parking levels, even as officials said fresh technical vetting would still be required.
  • The High Court currently has 69 courtrooms for 85 sanctioned judges, UNESCO‑linked heritage and catchment protections constrain northward construction, and alternative sites such as Sarangpur are under consideration.