Chandigarh, May 9, 2025: The Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association has officially declared May 9 as a ‘No Work Day’, urging all advocates to abstain from court proceedings in light of an ongoing power outage at the High Court complex and rising regional security concerns following recent military action by India under ‘Operation Sindoor’.
While the High Court remains formally open, courtroom functioning is expected to be significantly disrupted, as the vast majority of lawyers are observing the Bar Association’s advisory. The move is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of legal professionals amid what has been described as a “sensitive situation”.
In a public statement, Bar Association Honorary Secretary Gagandeep Jammu explained:
“This decision has been taken in the interest of ensuring the safety and security of all Bar members. The situation is sensitive, with both internal operational issues and an imminent threat posed by separatist forces.”
The High Court has been grappling with a severe power outage that has left the premises without basic utilities such as lighting, fans, and elevator service. The prolonged blackout has caused significant inconvenience to advocates, litigants, and court staff alike. The Bar Association cited the unavailability of essential services as one of the key reasons for the ‘No Work Day’ declaration.
Additionally, the security environment in the region has become tense in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a military strike reportedly conducted by Indian forces targeting terrorist infrastructure across the border in retaliation for the recent Poonch terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the death of several Indian Army personnel.
The operation has led to increased cross-border alertness, with state governments in Punjab, parts of Haryana, and Chandigarh stepping up security measures. Several educational institutions in the region have also been temporarily shut as a precaution.
Despite the court remaining open in principle, judicial activity is expected to be minimal, with most advocates complying with the advisory and staying away. The Bar Association’s stand highlights the growing concern among legal professionals over both infrastructural challenges and evolving geopolitical threats.
Court Status: Open (limited functioning)
Bar Association Status: No Work Day Observed
Reason Cited: Power Blackout, Cross-Border Tension Post ‘Operation Sindoor’
