“Having deliberated on the issue of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the High Court premises, we are of the view that it would be helpful to constitute a Committee.”
With the above observation, the Calcutta High Court on Friday constituted a committee to discuss ways and means of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene on the High Court premises.
The order was passed by a bench of Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee on a public interest litigation petition moved by one Iqbal Kabir, through Advocates Phiroze Edulji and AK Upadhyay, urging for the proper maintenance of Court buildings, including the maintenance of toilets and escalators, prohibiting pasting of banners and posters, along with the proper upkeep of fire and security measures and others.
A report dated January 6, 2021, was submitted by the Joint Registrar for the Court’s perusal in compliance with the November last month order whereby the High Court has called for a report on the state of amenities at the High Court from the High Court administration.
The Committee is to comprise:
• the Advocate General, as the Committee’s convener;
• the Additional Solicitor General;
• the President and Secretary of the three wings of the Bar;
• a woman member from each of the three wings of the Bar, as may be nominated by the President of the respective wing of the Bar;
• a representative of the Women’s Bar.
It was directed by the High Court on Friday, “The Committee shall meet and discuss ways and means of maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the High Court premises. The Committee should submit a report to the Court on the next date wherein the Committee shall indicate the Dos and Don’ts and the restrictions that may be put on anybody entering the High Court premises.”
“Learned Advocate appearing for the High Court Administration shall inform the Registrar General that the study room in the main building of the High Court shall be made available to the Committee as and when the same is required by the convener of the Committee for holding meeting,” the High Court directed.
The Bench also recorded the submission of the Advocate for the High Court Administration that the toilets in the Bar Association as also the toilets, which are meant for litigants and other staff, are in a pathetic condition and need immediate remedial measures.
The Court has fixed the matter on February 12 for further hearing.
Read Also: Bitter Harvest