The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Uttarakhand Government and put on hold the order passed by the High Court directing the state to identify land for relocation of the high court.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Sanjay Karol issued a notice on the plea by Uttarakhand High Court Bar Association against the proposed shifting of the high court out of Nainital.
During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Bar Association and the state, told the Supreme Court that creation of new benches is in Parliament’s domain, but the high court decision is like a referendum and needs to be dealt with.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra opposed the stay sought by the state and said the exercise was for deciding a land for the high court premises outside Nainital, and that there was a need to establish the high court outside Nainital.
The top court has now slated a detailed hearing on the matter after the summer vacation.
The high court order had directed that the new location should be able to accommodate the residences of judges, judicial officers and staff, apart from courtrooms, conference hall, chambers for at least 7,000 lawyers, canteen, and parking space.
The high court had also directed the chief secretary to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of the registrar general comprising the principal secretary, legislative and parliamentary affairs, principal secretary (home), two senior advocates, a member nominated by the Uttarakhand State Bar Council, chairman of the Bar Council of India and one other.
Source Agencies
