The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Chandigarh administration to arrange an alternative location for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) as the current premises remain closed due to severe water seepage, affecting its operations.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Chandigarh administration on Tuesday to find a new location for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), as the current site is undergoing repairs due to water seepage issues.
NCLT Chandigarh announced today that its sessions would be suspended indefinitely because of water leaks affecting the courtrooms and judges’ chambers.
A Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, stated that alternative accommodations must be arranged to ensure the Tribunal can continue its operations.
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The Court ordered,
“Counsel for the Union of India Shri Jain informs that they will take about 30 days to carry out the repairs. The UT administration council is directed to search for an alternative place for the NCLT Chandigarh bench to function, within the next three days,”
The matter is scheduled for a follow-up hearing on August 25.
This order was issued while addressing a 2023 public interest litigation (PIL) brought forth by the Company Law Tribunal Bar Association, represented by its Secretary Vaibhav Sahni, which highlighted concerns regarding waterlogging and damage to the Tribunal’s premises.
During today’s proceedings, the Court was made aware of the NCLT’s indefinite closure due to the necessary repairs.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Satyapal Jain, representing the Union of India, informed the Bench that new contractors have been hired for the repair work.
He noted that initial efforts to conduct the repairs at night faced resistance from local residents
The ASG said,
“We wrote to the NCLT saying we need 30 days to complete the repair work. We cannot repair the building while the Tribunal is functioning,”
The petitioner was represented by Senior Advocate Anand Chhibbar and Advocate Shikhar Sarin, while Advocate Jaivir Chandail appeared for the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Case Title: The Company Law Tribunal Bar Association, Chandigarh v The Ministry of Corporate Affairs & Ors