**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3289 concerning the potential shifting of the Uttarakhand High Court from Nainital to a more suitable location, preferably Haldwani. The response, delivered by the Minister of State for Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, clarifies that while Section 262 of The Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, empowers the President to designate the principal seat of the High Court, any subsequent notification regarding a shift requires a proposal from the State Government. This proposal must confirm the availability of required infrastructure for the High Court's functioning, the concurrence of the High Court itself, and a probable date for the commencement of operations at the new location. As of August 8, 2025, no such proposal fulfilling these prerequisites is currently pending with the Government of India. Therefore, no decision has been made to shift the High Court.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Law and Justice: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for legal affairs, legislative activities and administration of justice.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Jai Prakash: The Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the shifting of Nainital High Court.
Uttarakhand High Court: The High Court of the state of Uttarakhand.
Nainital: The location of the current principal seat of the Uttarakhand High Court, located in Uttarakhand State.
Haldwani: A potential location for the shifting of the Uttarakhand High Court, located in Uttarakhand State.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal: Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000: An act of the Parliament of India that provided for the reorganisation of the state of Uttar Pradesh, which led to the creation of the state of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3289
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 08TH AUGUST, 2025
Shifting of Nainital High Court
3289. Shri Jai Prakash:
Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Government has notified shifting of Uttarakhand High
Court from Nainital to a suitable place preferably at Haldwani;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of predicament over shifting of the High Court;
(d) whether the State Government, in consultation with the High Court, has earmarked
adequate land at the said place; and
(e) if so, the time by which the High Court is likely to be shifted?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF
LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (e): Section 26(2) of The Uttar Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000 states that
“The principal seat of the High Court of Uttaranchal shall be at such place as
the President may, by notified order, appoint.” Accordingly, the Principal Seat
of Uttarakhand High Court was constituted on 09.11.2000 at Nainital. Further
notification of shifting of the High Court is done by the Government after
receipt of a proposal from the State Government confirming availability of
required infrastructure for the functioning of the High Court and concurrence
of the High Court alongwith the probable date from which the Principal Seat of
the High Court will start functioning. At present no proposal fulfilling the above
prerequisites is pending with the Government of India.
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