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Functionality of Courts Cannot Be Jeopardized by State Lapses in Tower of Justice Project:
The has expressed severe displeasure over the persistent delays surrounding the "Tower of Justice" in Gurugram. In a scathing observation, the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor emphasized that the cannot be held hostage to the bureaucratic and procedural lapses of the .
A Project Plagued by Delays Conceived in as the largest judicial complex in North India, the "Tower of Justice" project was intended to modernize Gurugram's legal infrastructure. Over the past eight to nine years, the project has repeatedly missed completion deadlines, with costs ballooning from an initial estimate of Rs 113 crore to nearly Rs 295 crore.
The urgency of the situation was compounded by a fire incident on , which devastated the basement record room of the existing . The blaze damaged 21 courtrooms and essential administrative offices, forcing the to operate out of a PWD guest house.
The Court’s Firm Stance During the recent hearing, a status report submitted by the District Judge of Gurugram confirmed that the new complex remains non-functional and is still awaiting critical , including environmental permissions.
The attempted to deflect responsibility by citing regulatory bottlenecks. However, the High Court rejected this line of reasoning, placing the onus squarely on the state’s constructing agencies. The bench underscored that the State cannot cite its own failure to secure clearances as an excuse for delaying a vital piece of public infrastructure, especially when the judiciary is forced to function under compromised conditions.
Key Observations The High Court’s frustration was evident in its judicial remarks:
"Though a feeble attempt is made to suggest that the environmental permission was not applied but in view of the admitted position that construction was being made by the , it was for the , which is the agency of the to have done so."
The Court further clarified the legal priority:
"For any fault on the part of the authorities, the functionality of the Court cannot be put to jeopardy when it is undisputed that the Court is currently being made to function from a Guest House on account of a fire incident occurred in the premises."
Path to Resolution The High Court has taken cognizance of the issue, maintaining a strict watch on the project's progress. Following the Court's previous warnings of , has ramped up efforts to prepare the complex for a high-profile inspection and eventual inauguration.
District and Sessions Judge Narendra Sura and Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh have been conducting comprehensive reviews of the facility to ensure that essentials such as security, fire safety, and technical systems are fully operational before the courts resume after the summer break.
This intervention by the High Court serves as a reminder that the provision of adequate infrastructure for the judiciary is a , not a discretionary task, and that structural delays cannot be justified by administrative negligence. The matter is currently listed for further monitoring to ensure that the judicial transition to the new complex is completed without further impediment.
