State govt to build integrated court complexes in 10 districts

The Uttar Pradesh government, headed by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, is readying to construct integrated court complexes in 10 districts initially, for which ₹400 crore has been earmarked in the supplementary budget passed by the state legislative assembly on Tuesday

The Uttar Pradesh government, headed by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, is readying to construct integrated court complexes in 10 districts initially, for which ₹400 crore has been earmarked in the supplementary budget passed by the state legislative assembly on Tuesday.

Highlighting the importance of the project during a discussion on the supplementary budget, the chief minister said timely delivery of justice was essential for good governance and, therefore, the government would construct integrated court complexes in 10 districts.

According to a government spokesperson, the districts selected to pilot the project, which aims to house all courts of a district under one roof, are Mahoba, Hathras, Chandauli, Shamli, Amethi, Hapur, Auraiya, Sonbhadra, Sambhal and Chitrakoot.

Highlighting the importance of the project during a discussion on the supplementary budget, the chief minister said timely delivery of justice was essential for good governance and, therefore, the government would construct integrated court complexes in 10 districts.

The spokesperson added a group of officials from Uttar Pradesh had visited Baroda, Gujarat to study the successful integrated court complex model there.

Participating earlier in a high-level meeting to discuss the action plan for the complex model, the chief minister reportedly said the number of courts was increased to ensure the delivery of speedy justice. “These courts are scattered and functioning from different places. Many run from rented buildings,” the CM pointed out and acknowledged that this caused difficulties for both judicial officers and litigants.

There are also problems with security and administrative arrangements. In view of this, integrated court campuses can be very useful, the CM said, adding the construction of such court complexes has also been ordered by the Supreme Court.

On the instructions of the chief minister, the public works, home and law and justice departments are working on this project. The integrated buildings will also have spaces for judges’ chambers, meeting halls, parking, canteen and other facilities. Residential facilities for court officers and other staff will also be built along with the court buildings.

The integrated court campuses will feature district and subordinate courts, commercial courts, miscellaneous, tribunals, fast track courts, lok adalats, etc.