High Court Building Flooded In Srinagar, Rescued From Home At 2 am, Says Chief Justice

Srinagar: The floodwaters are yet to recede in parts of Srinagar. But the Jammu and Kashmir high court is already up and running - from the official residence of one of the judges in Gupkar Road.

"I wrote to the Chief Minister and the Governor for an alternate building to start functioning of High court," said Chief Justice MM Kumar. "But the government did not provide any space."

Like others in the beleaguered city, Justice Kumar too, has some horror stories to tell about the flood. "I was rescued during at 2 am on September 6 after the high court and my residence got flooded," he said.

The ground floor of the high court near Jahangir Chowk area is still under water. The official residence of the Chief Justice at Sonwar has also been under water for over two weeks. 

The Chief Justice is homeless now, like many others in the city, including many ministers in the Omar Abdullah government. He is living in the first floor of the makeshift court, which has no electricity or water. (Read: Ghost Towns in Srinagar Stand Testimony to Raging Jhelum)

But he was clear about the urgent need to get the court functioning. "There would be a large number of people looking for justice. Undertrials need bail to visit their families hit by the floods," he said.

Then, there are insurance claims of flood-hit people, which, Justice Kumar said, should be settled on the pattern of Uttarakhand. "We will try to implement it here."

There are more urgent requirements. A plea has been filed seeking cash distribution among flood victims so that they can buy day-to-day commodities, he said. "The reply has to be filed tomorrow." (Read: Srinagar Hospitals Readying to Resume Functioning)

But vital and confidential court records have been damaged in floods. These include recommendations for the appointment of judges and their property statements. Those that are available are drying outside the makeshift high court.

But for now, what's really taking a toll on work is the collapse of the communication system.

"The Chief Justice of India (RM Lodha) is trying to speak to me and  I'm trying to call back, but we are unable to speak," said Justice Kumar.(Read: In Kashmir, Floods Wash Away Religious Differences)