Legal Correspondent
Shimla, December 1
The High Court has directed the Assistant Solicitor General of India to seek instructions from the Centre on the next date of hearing that whether the provisions of the Family Courts Act have been made applicable by way of issuance of a statutory notification to Himachal Pradesh or not.
Justice Ajay Mohan Goel passed this order on a petition wherein it was contended that the Central Government had not issued any notification so as to bring into force the provisions of the Family Courts Act in the state.
The counsel for the petitioner further contended that in view of this, the Family Courts in Himachal Pradesh are functioning without jurisdiction.
Expressing concern, the court observed, "As this is an extremely important and serious issue which has been raised in this petition, taking into consideration the larger ramifications, the High Court through its Registrar General impleaded as a party in this case."
The court directed the Registrar General as well as the state government to inform as to whether any notification had been issued by the Central Government, bringing into force the Family Courts Act in the state or not.
Advocate General Ashok Sharma submits that it will be in the interest of justice in case Union of India, through the Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is also impleaded as a party in the petition.
On this, the court also impleaded the Union of India through the Secretary as party in this matter and listed the matter for further hearing on December 15.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service