SC Upholds HC Order on Verandah Outside Chief Justice's Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld an order of the Punjab and Haryana high court directing the Chandigarh administration to construct a verandah in front of the chief justice's court, saying it would not violate the UNESCO guidelines.

- HT Correspondent

CHANDIGARH:

The apex court order came on the petition filed by the Union territory administration that said the construction of verandah without UNESCO's nod could result in the loss of World Heritage status of Chandigarh Capitol Complex, which included the assembly, the high court and the secretariat designed by celebrated architect Le Corbusier, who planned the entire city of Chandigarh.

The UT administration had moved apex court after an order in this regard by the bench of chief justice in November 2024.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, said, ".we are of the view that the decision of the high court in directing construction of the 'verandah' in front of court room no. 1 in alignment with the design of the pre-existing 'verandahs' in front of court room nos. 2 to 9 is absolutely justified and would not violate the UNESCO guidelines," the bench said.

"At the same time, if so required, the administration would not be precluded from seeking ex-post facto approval for this minimal protective measure which is considered necessary without admitting any exception," it added.