Written by Manraj Grewal SharmaChandigarh | September 27, 2025 02:13 AM IST 4 min readThe court clarified that the Bar Association itself must decide how to nominate its representatives, without interference from the bench (Express Photo)The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday decided to constitute a broad-based committee of stakeholders headed by a sitting judge to chart the future course of its premises, following the Bar’s resolution rejecting any proposal to shift the court to Sarangpur or any other location.On September 22, the General House of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association passed a resolution in favour of continuing at the existing complex, dismissing relocation plans. When the matter came up before the division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry today, the judges observed that lawyers were the “biggest stakeholders” in any decision on the High Court’s future.The bench directed that an administrative committee be formed with representation from all stakeholders — the Bar, court employees, the Union Territory Chandigarh administration, and the states of Punjab and Haryana. UT senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji suggested that the committee should also include senior officials such as the UT’s chief architect and chief engineer. The bench proposed that it be coordinated by the High Court’s registrar. “All stakeholders should be involved in the decision-making process. We cannot move forward without consensus,” Chief Justice Sheel Nagu observed.The court clarified that the Bar Association itself must decide how to nominate its representatives, without interference from the bench. Chief Justice Nagu suggested that two senior members from the Bar be chosen to sit on the committee.Bar Association president Sartej Singh Narula proposed the name of senior advocate Rupinder Singh Khosla, noting that he had been part of the case since its inception in 2013. He added that the second member could be chosen by the association’s General House.During the hearing, UT senior standing counsel Amit Jhanji also briefed the bench on the ongoing work at the High Court’s kucha parking. He said the work would be completed in two phases, as it would not be prudent to close the entire facility at one go. Jhanji further pointed out that significant progress had been made in decongesting the High Court over the past year.A substantial part of the discussion focused on heritage and planning constraints. Jhanji noted that earlier expansion plans had to be revised following restrictions imposed by UNESCO and its advisory body ICOMOS, which reduced the permissible construction area from nearly three lakh square metres to about 1.5 lakh. “The holistic plan can no longer be implemented in parts; it has to be redesigned,” Jhanji said, stressing that any new design, along with a Heritage Impact Assessment, would require UNESCO’s clearance.Story continues below this adHe also disclosed that a team from IIT Roorkee had visited the court premises this week and suggested some solutions. “But I do not want to disclose them at this point,” he said.Referring to the proposal to extend the court beyond Court Room 69, Chief Justice Nagu said Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain would be able to assist in the matter concerning de-reservation of the forest area. Jain assured the court that he would extend all possible help.The court emphasised the need for weekly meetings of the new committee to expedite decision-making. The first meeting has been scheduled for October 9, when the members will examine all proposals afresh.“We have already lost about one year’s time. Progress made in the past year-and-a-half must continue,” Chief Justice Nagu said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Punjab and Haryana High Court