CHANDIGARH — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a scathing reprimand to the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over its failure to establish essential judicial infrastructure in Malerkotla, questioning the state’s commitment to providing basic amenities for the judiciary.
While disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Bench observed that the state’s inability to provide even fundamental facilities for judges has brought the justice delivery system in the newly formed district to a standstill.
A District in Name Only?
The PIL, filed by Mohali-based Advocate Kunwar Pahul Singh, highlighted a systemic failure in Malerkotla, which was carved out as a district in 2021. Despite being elevated to a Sessions Division in 2024, the district remains a “judicial desert” due to the absence of:
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A District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
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A Permanent Lok Adalat.
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Standard residential and office infrastructure for judicial officers.
The court remarked sharply on the state’s inaction, noting that if the government cannot provide basic amenities to the judges themselves, expecting the fulfilment of specialized legal institutions is unrealistic at this stage.
“Once the Punjab government provides the necessary facilities, the petitioner may approach the High Court again with their demands,” the Bench stated, effectively putting the onus of progress entirely on the state executive.
Timeline of Stagnation
Despite judicial approvals, the administrative follow-through has been non-existent:
| Year | Milestone | Status |
| 2021 | Malerkotla declared a District | Infrastructure pending |
| 2024 | Status of Sessions Division granted | Non-functional due to lack of space |
| 2025 | HC approval for DLSA notification | Not implemented by State |
| 2026 | Current Crisis | Judicial appointments stalled |
The “Cost” of Inaction
The petition argued that the lack of a regular District and Sessions Judge has deprived the residents of Malerkotla of an “affordable and accessible justice delivery system.” Without a DLSA, the poor and marginalized are left without legal aid, and without a Permanent Lok Adalat, thousands of petty disputes remain clogged in the system instead of being settled through ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution).
Judicial Liberty
In its closing remarks, the Court clarified that the effective constitution of these legal bodies is “not feasible” until the State Government provides the requisite physical infrastructure.
However, the Court granted the petitioner the liberty to revive the plea the moment the Punjab government makes the necessary infrastructure available for the District and Sessions Court. This “open-door” policy serves as a standing warning to the state that the judiciary is monitoring the situation closely.
The Punjab government has yet to release an official timeline for the completion of the Malerkotla judicial complex.
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