Malkhana (where properties related to cases have been stored) gathered controversy following the protests by lawyers, as it contains explosives (RDX) that could blow up at least the new building of the court complex. Crowded with case properties, the malkhana at the mini-secretariat gives a look of junkyard.
The Punjab and Haryana high court had passed an order in 2006 to shift the malkhana to some other location. Even the lawyers have been demanding shifting of malkhana raising safety issues. According to the lawyers, the new building of court complex has been constructed above malkhana, and moreover Malkhana has turned into shambles and any mishap could occur anytime.
More than 5,000 people used to visit district courts daily, besides lawyers and court staff.
Rustom Pal Singh Sandhu, general secretary, District Bar Association, said, 'Any mishap at the malkhana can turn fatal.'
Sandhu said, "The malkhana has occupied 1.5 acre land where cars, trucks, two-wheelers, furniture and drums recovered by the police have been dumped. The dumped goods have rusted and most of them have turned into waste, but as the cases related to dumped goods are under trial in courts, so the property cannot be disposed-off."
The explosives that have been dumped in malkhana were recovered during terrorism by Ludhiana police. The explosives in under trial cases till date have also been stored there, besides, dumping narcotics.
{{/usCountry}}The explosives that have been dumped in malkhana were recovered during terrorism by Ludhiana police. The explosives in under trial cases till date have also been stored there, besides, dumping narcotics.
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