(1) IN pursuance of our order dated 20/4/2000 a report has been submitted by the Registrar of the Delhi High Court.

(2) A meeting was held on 25/4/2000 in the chambers of Honble the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court where the following officers were present: 1. Mr P.S. Bhatnagar Chief Secretary Delhi 2. Mr Surinder Nath, Additional Secretary, Government of India Department of Justice 3. Mr P.K. Aggarwal Joint Secretary, Government of India Department of Justice 4. Mr Bharat Bhushan Secretary, Law, Justice & Legal Affairs Government of NCT of Delhi 5. Mr S. Mallai Divisional Commissioner, Government of NCT of Delhi 6. Mr I.M. Singh Chief Engineer, PWD 7. Mr S.M. Kohli Superintendent Engineer, PWD 8. Mr A.K.Mehandiratta Joint Secretary, Law, Justice & Legal Affairs, Government of NCT of Delhi 9. Mr R.K. Prabhakar Deputy Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi 10. Mr N.G. Goswami Legislative Counsel, Government of NCT of Delhi

(3) MR M.A. Khan, District and Sessions Judge, Delhi and Mr Kamlesh Kumar, Administrative Civil Judge, Delhi were also present in the meeting.

(4) VARIOUS aspects of the matter regarding bifurcation of the District Courts in Delhi and creation of additional posts in the Delhi Higher Judicial Service as well as fixing the time schedule for construction of court buildings for separate judicial districts were considered. The report dated 3/4/2000 of the Committee constituted for "division of Delhi into separate judicial districts" for efficient administration of justice was considered in the meeting. The members of the Committee were: 1. Mr R.C. Chopra, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Delhi 2. Mr Bharat Bhushan, Secretary (Law, Justice and Legal Affairs, Government of NCT of Delhi) 3. Mr S.P. Aggarwal, Divisional Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Revenue), Government of NCT of Delhi 4. Mr R.K. Gauba, Additional District Judge-cum-Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi 5. Mr Kamlesh Kumar, Administrative Civil Judge, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi 6. Mr A.K. Mehandiratta, Joint Secretary (Law, Justice and Legal Affairs, Government of NCT of Delhi) 7. Mr N.G. Goswami, Legislative Counsel, Government of NCT of Delhi

(5) THIS report of the Committee was accepted by the High Court in the Full Court meeting of the Honble Judges on 26/4/2000. The report forms part of the report submitted by the Registrar of the High Court. We have gone through the report of the Committee and the minutes of the meeting held by the Honble the Acting Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and officers of the Central Government and the officers of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi as well as the report of the Registrar of the Delhi High Court.

(6) NEEDLESS to say that the working of courts at Tis Hazari and Patiala House (New Delhi Courts) with reference to the accommodation for the Judges, litigant public, witnesses and Members of the Bar and supporting services like stamp-vendors, etc. are almost at the stage of collapse. A visit to these court complexes is an appalling experience. The situation is alarming to say the least. Everyone realises so. Jammed courtrooms, crowded and dark corridors, overflowing toilets, insanitary conditions, it is almost nauseating to visit these courts. There is certainly a limit up to which services can be provided for all concerned. Tis Hazari Court Complex was built in 1956 keeping in view at that time the quantum of litigation and population of Delhi. Today, the Delhi of 1956 is not the same in the year 2000. With the phenomenal rise in the quantum of litigation, new avenues of justice delivery system, tremendous increase in the number of courts and lawyers with the corresponding increase in staff and office accommodation, Tis Hazari Court Complex has practically ceased to be functional and the impasse will continue until the burden is shifted to newly-constructed spacious court complexes with modem facilities and conveniences. All this is necess