Bar associations of Garhwal region welcome decision to not shift HC to Gaulapar

Saturday, 11 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN

The bar associations of the Garhwal region welcomed the decision of the Uttarakhand High Court to not shift the HC from Nainital to Gaulapar in Haldwani. The representatives of the bar associations of various districts of the Garhwal region along with the representatives from Udham Singh Nagar held a meeting in Dehradun on Friday regarding the relocation of the HC from Nainital. The president of the Dehradun Bar Association Rajeev Sharma said that the court on Friday asked the State government to find suitable land that can accommodate chambers for at least 7,000 advocates besides having sufficient space for judges, judicial officers, staff, courtrooms, conference hall, canteen, parking space, good medical facilities and road connectivity. He said that so far, IDPL in Rishikesh appears to have sufficient space to accommodate all these facilities in the long run. The court has also asked the government to start a portal by May 14 where lawyers can vote on whether they agree to shifting the High Court from Nainital. “We will ensure that each and every lawyer of Garhwal region votes in support of shifting of the HC. The court’s new order to shift not just the bench of the high court but the entire HC is a big win for us,” he said. The senior members of the bar council also said that the shifting of the High Court from Nainital to Dehradun district should not be considered as an issue for conflict between the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. It is all about a practical approach for lawyers as well as the litigators. The cases that can be resolved for about Rs 20,000 in Dehradun costs about Rs 80,000 to Rs one lakh for litigators due to frequent travelling, expensive accommodation and hefty lawyers’ fees, among others, as Nainital is a busy tourist place. They added that they are ready to make all sacrifices this time to ensure the High Court is shifted to the Garhwal region.