HC seeks DJs reply on plea for installing ACs in court rooms

Aiming to provide an efficient work environment in lower courts, Delhi High Court today sought the response of two district judges on a plea seeking installation of air conditioners (ACs) at the district courts under their jurisdiction.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw directed the counsel present for District Judges (DJs) of Tis Hazari and Patiala House court complexes, who directly or indirectly manage the building maintenance committees of their respective districts, to take instruction on the issues.
"Take instruction from the authority concerned (District Judges of two District Courts) before April 25," the court said.

The court, while posing a query to the counsel, asked "Will you not give relief to thousands of litigants, court staff, counsels and presiding officers of the lower courts?"
To this the counsel replied that installation of ACs was in progress.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), filed by lawyer Amit Sahni, who sought direction to the DJs for installation of ACs in all courts located in respective districts of Delhi with immediate effect so as to avoid undue harassment.

Sahni said he had noticed that in Tis Hazari Courts, ACs were installed in offices of almost all the clerical staff but surprisingly, not in all the court rooms.

"For instance in Tis Hazari Court, ACs are not installed in room 356, 357, 361, 361A etc.," the plea said, adding "ACs have become basic necessity for efficient working and the same have been installed in all Government/PSUs/Private Sectors for the last decade."
The counsel said that it is essential to provide efficient working environment to court staff, judicial officers, counsel and litigants, "which would affect the pace of the matters pending in each court".
The plea said that all district courts in Delhi were centrally air-conditioned except Tis Hazari Courts and Patiala House Courts.
It also said, "consideration of seniority in providing basic facility is bad in law and against the principles of Constitution of India".