Delhi HC issues notice in PIL for installation of ACs in Tis Hazari and Patiala House

A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to district judges of Central, West and New Delhi in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) for installing air conditioners in court rooms of the Tis Hazari and Patiala House courts in Delhi..In the PIL filed by advocate Amit Sahni, it was submitted that air conditioners have become a basic necessity for efficient working and the same have been installed in all Government/PSU’s/Private Sectors..The petition stated that all courts in Delhi have centralized air conditioning except the Tis Hazari and the Patiala House court complexes. Further, it was stated that,.“…except for 2-3 months in the year, weather in Delhi is such that without ACs, it becomes very difficult to work efficiently as one keeps on sweating all the time and Courts functioning without ACs give undue harassment to the Litigants, Court Staff, Counsels and Presiding Officers and the same create unhealthy and inefficient working conditions.”.The petitioner had also filed an RTI application seeking information on the topic, in response to which, he received the following reply:.“…air conditioning of office/chamber/court room is done as per the seniority of Judicial Officer.”.It was therefore submitted in the writ petition that air conditioners be provided not only to all court rooms but to the chambers of Judicial Officers/Office in all District Courts of Delhi as well, irrespective of seniority of the Judicial Officer..The petitioner argued before a Bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw that ACs should be installed in all courts at Tis Hazari and Patiala at least from the coming summer. The Bench then issued notice in the matter and sought response from District Judges of Central, West and New Delhi districts. The next hearing is slated for 25th February.