Himachal Pradesh HC to constitute Green Bench by Feb 26

Himachal Pradesh High court would constitute a separate Green bench to dispose of the cases related to Environment, Forest and Mining, which was to be made functional by February 26.

Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice, Joseph Kurian told media persons that the ‘Green Bench’ would comprise of two judges from Himachal and would be presided over by a senior Judge.

He said that bench would have ‘sons of soil’ who would be better able to understand the issues and cases related the Environment matters related to the hill state.

He said that basic purpose to set up this bench is to hear the case related to Environment, Forest and Mining in continuity and consistently.

Justice Kurien also did not rule out setting up of Dharamshala bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court but said that he could not comment on this issue right now as he had taken charge just ten days ago.

However, he pointed out that Ministry of Law has emphasized three factors to set up such court benches, including number of cases, pendency of cases of particular area and geographical location of area.

The Chief Justice said that he was in favour to early disposal of the pending cases in High Court and lower courts and added that Himachal would be shortly placed among states that would have completely computerised networks in the all courts to streamline and boost its functioning.

Justice Kurien said that ‘Lok Adalats’ were best instrument to dispose of the pendency’s in the court as many type of cases including partitions and land disputes were well suited to be settled in the Lok Adalats.

‘Lok Adalat are win-win offer to both the aggrieved and respondents as both party remained unhurt after amicably sorting out the dispute in such courts,’ he said.