New Delhi, Aug 13 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Public Works Department (PWD) to file a status report within a week regarding the expenses and status of the fountain project at the Tis Hazari court complex here.
A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva also sought a report on the facilities and the lack of facilities in the district court.
The court also made the Delhi government, the PWD and Delhi bar association parties in the case and posted the matter for hearing on August 19.
The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a stay on the construction of a water fountain in Tis Hazari court complex and cancellation of the sanction for the project.
The plea filed by journalist Pankaj Yadav, through advocate Sanjeev Sagar, sought a direction to the Centre to divert the funds instead to provide basic facilities to disabled persons and sanitary facilities in district courts for litigants.
During the hearing, the bench agreed with the petitioner that the condition of toilets in the Tis Hazari court complex were far from ideal.
"Tis Hazari is the oldest court. We must ensure facilities are improved there. It should be as equal to as new courts like Saket, Rohini and Dwarka courts," the bench said, asking the bar association to give suggestions to improve the facilities.
The bench said lack of amenities for disabled persons at district courts is an important issue while the construction of a water fountain was a minor one.
During the hearing, the bar association told the court that the work was being undertaken to give a face-lift to the 50-year-old "poorest and oldest" Tis Hazari complex.
The cost of the work was about Rs.15 lakh and not Rs.50 lakh or Rs.1 crore as claimed in the petition, said the bar association.
The Tis Hazari court was being beautified by construction of a huge water fountain at the entrance for which the government was spending between Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1 crore, the plea has alleged.
"It is highly shameful and sad that the lower courts are inaccessible to the disabled. It is the duty of the court administration to provide special facilities to the disabled people who come to courts for different matters," advocate Sanjeev Sagar appearing for petitioner told the court.