LHC moved for early construction of judicial complex at Kotli Sattian

Rawalpindi

Around 300,000 population of Tehsil Kotli Sattian is suffering due to an absence of a judicial complex and courts and they travel 75 kilometre for their cases to get adjudicated at Rawalpindi.

A petition has been filed in this regard with Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench seeking to expedite the construction of judicial complex in Tehsil Kotli Sattian that was supposed to get complete in 2014.

Petitioner Raja Saim ul Haq Satti Advocate has contended in the petition that Kotli Sattian is the only tehsil (Sub-division) where there are no courts so far and people of area were forced to travel to Rawalpindi for getting their cases adjudicated.

The petitioner has cited secretary government of Punjab, district coordination officer (DCO)/District Collector Rawalpindi, chief architect Punjab, Chief Engineer Punjab Buildings Department, Executive Engineer Provincial Building Division Rawalpindi, Secretary finance Punjab, secretary planning, registrar LHC through Superintendent District & Session Judge Rawalpindi and the president Kotli Sattian Bar Association as respondents.

The petitioner adopted that he is facing a great destitution and inconvenience along with people-at-large due to non-construction of Judicial Complex at Tehsil Kotli Sattian, District Rawalpindi, announced and approved by the Government almost a decade before. Although, at the moment only one civil judge visits Kotli Sattian who could not cope with the judicial issues of about 300,000 population. Till 2007 an additional district and sessions judge (ADSJ) used to visit the town once a week but the practice discontinued with the promise that the same shall resume his work after completion of the construction of Judicial Complex but so far neither the construction started nor the court of ASJ resumed its work.

That although in pursuance of the direction of the provincial government, secretary Punjab colonies department had issued directive to the DCO / District Collector, Rawalpindi seeking construction of Judicial Complex at Kotli Sattian Sub-Division within a period of six months and ensuring of its completion by November, 2014 but all in vain. Due to the delay members of Kotli Sattian Bar Association are suffering enormously.

That it is pertinent to mention here that this tehsil was demarcated in 1992 and remained for long time without a permanent courts whereas all other tehsils of Rawalpindi divisions have their permanent courts of civil judges and the camp office of the additional sessions judge and their own Judicial Complexes. Due to this discrimination, neglect, not only the pending cases are piling up and in the absence of an ADSJ, murder and other heinous cases are being tried at Rawalpindi district courts at a distance of about 75-kilometres forcing the poor litigants/the learned members of the bar who have to travel on very difficult bumpy path in the mountainous area to get justice. In this context both lawyers and litigants suffering enormously in terms of finance, physical exhaustion and time wastage.

That due to non- construction of Judicial Complex at Kotli Sattian the primary problem for the area people is filing of cases of urgent nature when local police and others make serious encroachments on their valuable rights. In the absence of ADSJ they have to visit Rawalpindi courts again and again. When there is no proper judicial set-up the urgent cases could not be heard and decided.

That the construction of Judicial Complex at Kotli Sattian in the town was announced since long but work on the project has become a dream to come true.

That for the Construction of Judicial Complex at Kotli Sattian, lay out plan has already been approved by the office of the director architecture Punjab. That the meeting of Departmental Development Committee held at LHC Lahore, lastly on May 7, 2016 consisting senior Judges. That in the light of the meetings and directives so issued to the respondents concerned, LHC registrar found that the work is at snail space and the respondents concerned were not taking it serious. Petitioner has prayed to the court that the respondents may be directed to ensure the needful regarding the expeditious construction of the building. Further inquiry proceedings may be initiated against the negligent officials that caused delay in its construction.