High Court Raps Delhi Govt, DDA For Making No Progress In Construction Of Residential Flats For Judges

The Delhi High Court on Thursday rapped the Delhi government and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for making no progress in the construction of flats and official residences for judicial officers in the national capital.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said that the Court had made a request to the DDA in the matter but it had fallen on deaf ears.

The Court remarked that it is expected from the government officials to realize the needs of judges of having decent living conditions and view the same with sensitivity.

“We have to virtually beg. The court has recorded its request in one of its orders... Don't push us to the wall. Ensure otherwise these sweet sounding words will not help," the Court said.

It added that the Court was only “short of summoning the officers” and that every department was testing Court's patience.

“It is for both the Central government and the state government. Apprise all the departments and officers about this. They should not test the court's patience like this…,” the Court said.

It granted three weeks' time to the Delhi Government to take a “positive decision” on convening a meeting over the release of funds for judges' official residences in Dwarka.

The Court further directed the DDA Commissioner to file response indicating the steps taken for compliance of judicial orders, including availability of alternate flats for judges.

The Court also asked the DDA Director to remain present in the hearing which is scheduled to be held in May.

Last month, the Court had pulled up the Delhi Government for lack of efforts to ensure finances for pending project of construction of residential flats for judges.

It had reminded the Delhi Government that providing adequate official accommodation to the judicial officers has to be a priority for all.

Earlier, the Court was informed that against a total sanctioned strength of judicial officers of 897, the number of flats available were 348 which were located at various places and thus, the deficit was or 549 flats.

The PILs have been filed by Sahil A Garg Narwana and Judicial Service Association, Delhi.

Title: Sahil A Garg Narwana v. UNION OF INDIA AND ORS and other connected matter