IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. CIVIL WRIT PETITION NO. 9788 OF 2008 DATE OF DECISION: November 20, 2008. Parties Name Arvinder Arora ..PETITIONER VERSUS State of Punjab and others ...RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.S.THAKUR, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASBIR SINGH PRESENT: Mr. J.S. Bhatti, Advocate, for the petitioner Ms. Madhu Dayal, Addl. A.G., Punjab for the respondents. 1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? T.S.THAKUR, CHIEF JUSTICE (oral) JUDGMENT This petition has been filed in public interest. It prays for a mandamus directing respondent No. 1 to provide necessary facilities to the State Transport Appellate Tribunal, Punjab, if possible, to house the Tribunal in a building, owned by the Punjab Government at Chandigarh in close proximity to the High Court. In reply to a notice, issued by this Court, the respondents have filed a counter affidavit, in which it is inter alia stated that the State Transport Appellate Tribunal has been housed in Sector 39, CIVIL WRIT PETITION NO. 9788 OF 2008 -2- Chandigarh, since September, 2002. The affidavit further states that a Committee, constituted by the Government, had invited tenders for hiring of private buildings so that the Tribunals could be shifted to any such building providing better facilities to the Presiding Officer and the staff including the Members of the Bar. Only one offer was received, which too was found to be un-satisfactory. The result is that the authorities have now decided to carry out certain alterations in the premises in which the Tribunal is presently housed. These alterations/ modifications would, according to Ms. Dayal, counsel appearing for the respondents, make the accommodation available to the Tribunal satisfactory. It is submitted by her that the authorities would take up the matter on an expeditious basis and carry out necessary alterations / modifications in consultation with the Presiding Officer of the Tribunal and after obtaining necessary permission from the concerned authority/ Municipal Corporation. Mr. Bhatti, counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that this writ petition could be disposed of with appropriate directions giving liberty to the petitioner to have the same revived if the need so arises. He urged that the process of alteration / modification in the existing accommodation available with the Tribunal should be undertaken in consultation with the Presiding Officer and to his satisfaction. We see no reason to decline that prayer. Any process of alteration / modification in the accommodation available with the Tribunal at present must suit the requirements of the Presiding Officer of the Tribunal. The respondents would, therefore, do well to undertake the process of alteration / modification in accommodation presently being used by the Tribunal in consultation with the Presiding Officer concerned. The CIVIL WRIT PETITION NO. 9788 OF 2008 -3- needful shall be done expeditiously but not later than six months from today. The writ petition is disposed of with above said direction reserving liberty to the petitioner to seek revival of the proceedings if the need arise. No costs. ( T.S.THAKUR) CHIEF JUSTICE (JASBIR SINGH) November 20, 2008. JUDGE DKC