In a sharp directive, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Chandigarh administration to swiftly address vacancies in the posts of Deputy District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney, warning of potential contempt proceedings if the positions remain unfilled by November.
The court’s bench, led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal, emphasized the importance of these appointments, noting their direct connection to the efficient administration of justice in Chandigarh’s district courts. The order stems from a public interest litigation highlighting gaps in staffing critical legal roles within the Union Territory.
Currently, Chandigarh has filled only two District Attorney positions. However, three Deputy District Attorney roles and five Assistant District Attorney posts remain vacant, hindering the functioning of the judiciary. The administration’s counsel explained that delays were caused by the transition from following Punjab recruitment rules to Central Government rules, which had yet to be finalized.
In response, the court set a strict timeline: the rules must be finalized by the end of September, advertisements for the roles posted by mid-October, and the entire recruitment process completed by November 30, 2024. Failure to meet these deadlines could lead to personal accountability for Chandigarh’s Home/Law Secretary, with contempt proceedings likely.
The court concluded by granting petitioners the option to file a further application if the administration fails to comply with the schedule.
