NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the state government to introduce air conditioning facilities in the
District and Sessions Court and Subordinate Courts at Merces, covering various wings and workplaces used by both judicial and non-judicial staff.
The court stated that the air conditioning must be installed within six months, and in any case by the end of February 2026, and must be made fully functional. It added that if additional KV power is required to implement the facilities, the state must arrange it, even if it involves extra expenditure.
The order followed a writ petition filed by the North Goa (Non Gazetted) Judicial Court Employees Association, representing employees of the District and Sessions Court, North Goa, and Subordinate Courts.
The petition sought a directive for the authorities to provide air conditioning facilities to staff working at the new Merces court complex, particularly in areas occupied by the judicial establishment, in a time-bound manner.
The association includes employees across various ranks, including the chief administrative officer, court manager, superintendent/protocol officer, clerk, stenographer, nazir, accountant, bailiff, havildar, peon, liftman, and watchman.
“We are of the view that since the air conditioning facility is meant for the persons who are serving the judiciary by playing different roles and ultimately rendering assistance in the administration of justice, the association deserves similar treatment as other classes who are instrumental in the courts’ functioning, i.e., judges and lawyers. We direct the state to treat the members of the petitioners’ Association with parity and extend the benefits to them,” the court said.
