FAUZIA QURESHI and another/Petitioner vs REGISTRAR, LAHORE HIGH COURT,
This civil petition for leave to appeal is directed against the judgment of the Lahore High Court passed in a writ petition initiated on a reference by the Registrar, directing the Secretary of the C&W Department to execute a building layout plan for courtrooms and prepare estimates. The Supreme Court heard the parties and granted leave to appeal to consider several questions, including whether the High Court's order and action were illegal, passed without notice in violation of natural justice, and whether the demolition and reconstruction of the west wing of the High Court building violated the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985. Finding that the petitioners were not parties to the original proceedings, the Court condoned a delay of 43 days in filing the petition in the interest of justice. Noting that a prima facie case was made out with the balance of convenience in favor of the petitioners and potential irreparable loss, the Court granted leave and directed the respondents to maintain status quo pending the final decision of the appeal.
- Whether the High Court could pass orders in its constitutional jurisdiction without notice to the affected and interested parties?
- Whether the demolition and reconstruction of the west wing of the High Court building was violative of the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985?
- Whether an act of demolition and reconstruction can be justified on the ground that the building would serve a prime purpose and preserve old architectural beauty?
- Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985
ORDER
' HAMID ALI MIRZA, J.--- This civil petition for leave to appeal is directed against judgment dated 6- 6-2005 in Writ Petition No,5775 of 2005 whereby the said writ petition which was registered as such on the reference of the Registrar, Lahore High Court, Lahore and was disposed of with the direction to Secretary C&W Department to proceed further to execute the building layout/line plan in respect of the 8 Court Room as is required by the Lahore High Court which was earlier submitted by C&W Department on 20-3-2004 and further the said Secretary to prepare estimate of the said proposed building and submit the same to the Registrar of the said High Court within 10 days positively, hence this petition for leave to appeal.
2. We have heard learned counsel for the parties at length and perused the record.
3. We find that a case of grant of leave to appeal is made out which is accordingly granted to consider inter alia the following points:--
(i) Whether the impugned order and impugned action were both illegal and the High Court could not have passed the same in its constitutional jurisdiction and whether these orders were passed in violation of rules of natural justice and Without notice to the affected and interested parties?
(ii) Whether the demolition and reconstruction of west wing of the High Court Building was illegal and violative of the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985? And
(iii) Whether act of demolition and reconstruction could be justified that the building would serve the prime purpose and the High Court was more keen and desirous to preserve the old architectural beauty of the High Court Building and whether the IA same was being carried out by Communication and Works Department, Punjab?
4. The petition is reported to be barred by 43 days as per office note. Since the petitioner was not party to the proceedings before the High Court, therefore, the period for, filing of C.P.L.A. Is enlarged in the larger interest of justice. Further keeping in view the facts and the arguments made prima facie a case is made out and the balance of convenience being also in favour of the petitioners, so also irreparable loss would be caused, hence, respondents are directed to maintain status quo till the decision of appeal which be listed at an early date subject to administrative approval of Honourable Chief Justice.