Lakshay Attri v. Chandigarh Administration & ORS

CWP-PIL No.107 of 2024 (O & M) -1IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH ***** CWP-PIL No.107 of 2024 (O & M) Date of decision : 29.1.2025 Lakshay Attri .............Petitioner

Versus

Chandigarh Administration and others .......Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHEEL NAGU, CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Sunil Chadha, Senior Advocate with Mr. Akshay Chadha, Advocate, for the petitioner Mr. Himanshu Arora, Advocate, for the respondents --- SHEEL NAGU, CJ. (ORAL) 1.

The present petition has been filed as a public interest litigation (PIL) praying for the following relief:- (a) Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction in the nature of certiorari and mandamus directing the respondents to take immediate remedial steps to restore the Football Stadium in Sector-17, Chandigarh in conformity with international standards as the entire work was undertaken with a view to upgrade the Foodball Stadium for which a huge amount was sanctioned.

(b) Order for setting up of a Committee headed by a retired Hon'ble High Court Judge or any other independent agency

CWP-PIL No.107 of 2024 (O & M) -2to investigate into the lackadaisical conduct of the respondent-Administration and also held the officials responsible for the same and suggest remedial steps to be taken by the respondent-Administration.

2.

This Court by interlocutory order dated 17.7.2024 restricted the scope of this petition only with regard to the sporting activities in and around Sector 17, Chandigarh.

3.

However, the only contention raised by learned counsel for the petitioner is that instead of the size made available in the said Urban Park for football field, which is 107 x 17 meters, larger area should have been made available so that there should be ample buffer space around the football field for enabling the players to properly play football without colliding with the fending/boundary wall. Further argument of learned counsel for the petitioner is that the buffer area which ought to have been available around football field has instead been utilized for laying sprinklers and drainage.

4.

The UT Administration has already informed that due to space constraints, the size of buffer area in and around the football field is not being provided.

5.

In the considered opinion of this Court, policy matter of football field being of a particular size cannot be gone into when the said Stadium is not open for national and international matches. 6.

This Court cannot step into the shoes of the Administration and start running the administration.

CWP-PIL No.107 of 2024 (O & M) -37. In view of the above, no interference is called for and the petition stands dismissed.

8.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of accordingly.

(SHEEL NAGU) CHIEF JUSTICE (SUMEET GOEL) JUDGE 29.1.2025 Ashwani Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No