Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association to Vote on Relocation Proposal

Chandigarh, August 25: The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has announced that its members will soon vote on whether the High Court building should be shifted to a new site.

The move follows a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting space constraints and rising footfall, after which the High Court directed the Chandigarh UT Administration to explore possible alternative locations. The court also asked the Bar Association and the UT Administration to deliberate jointly on the matter under the chairmanship of Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain.

On August 20, the Association’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution supporting the construction of a new High Court building at Chandigarh’s Sarangpur village. During a hearing on August 22, the Court clarified that the proposal would only be accepted if approved by the General Body of the Bar Association.

The Sarangpur site has already been allotted 15 acres, with a total of 48.865 acres earmarked. The proposed project would provide around 42 lakh square feet of constructed space exclusively for High Court use. Meanwhile, another plan suggests building a new structure within the existing campus, opposite the Bar Room, offering an additional 3 lakh square feet with 16 courtrooms and underground parking for 600–700 vehicles. However, this proposal requires clearance from the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Bar Association Secretary Gagandeep Jammu raised concerns over the second option, pointing out that only about 60,000 square feet would be allocated for Bar members—an area considered insufficient. He warned that the construction process would take more than five years, causing congestion, dust, restricted movement, and reduced parking during the period.

The Association further argued that limited entry and exit points, coupled with increasing numbers of judges, staff, advocates, and litigants, would continue to worsen traffic and space shortages if the High Court remains at its current location. Urging members to participate in the upcoming vote, the Association stated, “Either we stay congested here or we step into the future. The decision rests with you.”

The schedule for voting will be announced soon.