While on the one hand the new complex will have certain features which were much awaited by court officials, on the other hand the clerks in the courts are having a tough time trying to find a way to shift.
As per the guidelines from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a separate court under the Child Protection Act will also be set up. The separate fast track court dealing with the cases pertaining to atrocities against women will also be set up. However, the setting up of the fast track courts will depend on the availability of an official and the number of cases pending in the court. Till then, the present judges will be hearing the cases on daily basis.
Additional Sessions Judge Shalini Singh Nagpal and Special CBI Judge Vimal Kumar said on Thursday that the shifting of the complex had already begun. However, there was confusion regarding how the files should be safely transferred to the new complex. “We have been given a notice that we have to shift our courts ourselves. We will not get any help,” said one of the court clerks. The Naib Courts had, however, arranged vehicles to shift the courts from their respective police stations.
Seniors officials said, “We have arranged for vehicles from the High Court to transfer files. The vehicles will be available only after the inauguration of the new court complex”.
The new building has a capacity to house 31 courts, including magistrates, Special CBI courts and Sessions and Additional Sessions Courts. It has one conference hall, separate chambers for the public prosecutors of Punjab, Haryana and UT, a permanent lok-adalat and recreational centre. While the courts will be shifting by January 28, video conferencing will begin in the new complex on Friday.
The second phase of the complex with the expansion of the building to house more courts is also in the pipeline. As per the proposal dated March 5, 1999, the complex is supposed to have 55 courts.