After court complex fire in Gurgaon, bar calls ‘no work day’ till June 1

Gurgaon: Judicial work in the city will remain largely stalled till June 1, with the district bar association announcing 'no work days' till then in the wake of the fire that caused extensive damage to the court complex. Although temporary courts have been set up in rooms of the PWD guesthouse, the lack of supporting infrastructure is hampering judicial work.

Judges are working out of guesthouse rooms to conduct temporary court proceedings. A functioning courtroom requires sufficient space for a judge, stenographer, reader, prosecution, lawyers, and parties. Guesthouse rooms simply cannot accommodate these many people. There is also no separate operating space for lawyers, who have no alternative but to work from the damaged judicial complex.

The bar association has urged advocates to avoid visiting court premises altogether. The judiciary has assured no adverse orders will be passed in any matter during this period. Courts are scheduled to close for a month-long summer break from June 1.

An emergency meeting of the bar association’s governing body was held on Tuesday evening, during which members unanimously resolved that, given the present state of court infrastructure, lawyers need not appear until June 1 unless absolutely necessary.

Bar association president Chandra Kant Sharma said advocates handling urgent matters may attend to them but should leave the premises immediately afterward. “Advocates are advised not to remain in the court complex unnecessarily,” he said.

Secretary Rahul Dhankar stated that, due to safety concerns, the C-Block parking area will remain closed till June 1. “Since no appearance is required in any matter, it will effectively be treated as a ‘no work Day’,” he said.

The governing body will meet again on June 1 to decide the future course of action.

“If we do not visit the court, how will we meet our clients, carry out paperwork and approach court?” a lawyer asked, adding that the ‘no work day' decision provides no relief to litigants. “This will deprive lawyers of their income, and litigants will have to wait longer for relief.”

The fire, which broke out on Sunday, ravaged 21 courtrooms, including Ahlmad rooms and retiring chambers, forcing an immediate shutdown of the complex. Officials said the Executive Engineer (PWD B&R) has been directed to conduct a full structural safety verification before permitting re-entry.

Temporary courts have been functioning at the PWD guest house, where only urgent matters such as bail and stay applications are being heard. By Tuesday, most records and ongoing judicial proceedings had been shifted to the PWD Rest House under an alternative arrangement.