Punjab & Haryana HC Flags Gurugram Court Functioning From Guest House After Fire, Building Still Incomplete
The Punjab & Haryana High Court directed the State of Haryana to expedite completion of the Gurugram court building, noting it lacks statutory environmental clearances and court functioning is disrupted by a prior fire incident.
A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, took up its suo motu PIL concerning the state of judicial infrastructure in Gurugram on 8 July 2026. The Bench found that the new Gurugram court building remains incomplete and non-functional, that statutory environmental clearances have not been obtained, and that the court is presently operating from a guest house following a fire at its premises. The matter was listed on the next date to review the State's progress.
Gurugram Court Operating From Guest House After Fire
Pursuant to a previous order in this PIL, the District Judge, Gurugram submitted a report to the High Court. That report confirmed that the new court building is neither complete nor functioning. The court premises had suffered a fire incident, and as a result the court has been compelled to operate from a guest house in the interim.
The Bench observed that this situation directly affects the functioning of the court and the litigants who depend on it. The State's construction agency had not obtained environmental clearances before proceeding with the building work.
Environmental Clearance Squarely on the State Agency
Before the Bench, a feeble attempt was made to suggest that the environmental permission had not been applied for. The Bench rejected that posture outright. Since the construction was being carried out by the State authorities themselves, the obligation to secure environmental clearance rested with the constructing agency — which is an agency of the State Government.
The court held that any fault on the part of the authorities cannot be allowed to put the functionality of the court to jeopardy. The Bench stated that “the Court cannot be put to jeopardy” on account of the State's own omissions, particularly given the undisputed position that the court is currently being made to function from a guest house.
State's Responsibility for Construction Lapses
The High Court's reasoning places the obligation squarely on the State Government. The constructing agency, being a State agency, was required to comply with statutory requirements including environmental permissions before commencing or continuing construction. The court found no basis to shift responsibility away from the State on this count.
The Additional Advocate General for Haryana, Mr. Deepak Balyan, appeared for the State. No alternative explanation was accepted by the Bench for the absence of clearances or the delay in completing the building.
Outcome
The Division Bench listed the matter for further hearing on 9 July 2026, to be taken up at Serial No. 101. The matter remains pending before the High Court pending further reports on the building's completion and statutory clearances.