Himachal Pradesh High Court Establishes Chief Justice’s Disaster Relief Fund 2025, Calls It ‘A Call of Conscience’
Relief efforts will be coordinated under the leadership of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur.
Going beyond judgments, court orders, and formal directives, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has stepped in to assist families devastated by unprecedented rains, landslides, and cloudbursts across the state. The High Court has established a dedicated “Chief Justice’s Disaster Relief Fund 2025” and has appealed for voluntary contributions—not only from institutions but from individuals across the legal fraternity—to support those “struggling to rebuild their lives.”
The initiative draws inspiration from the Legal Services Authorities Act, guided by Justice Surya Kant, Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority. Under his vision, the designated authorities will lead relief efforts, identify the most vulnerable families, and extend both cash and material assistance, such as clothing and utensils.
In a circular issued by the Registrar General on behalf of Chief Justice Gurmit Singh Sandhawalia, the appeal was made with carefully chosen words: “This is not merely a request; it is a call of conscience. Let us open our hearts to help those who are fighting to rebuild their lives. Every contribution, small or large, will help restore hope and dignity to thousands who have lost everything.”
This step follows an order passed by the Principal Bench on September 4 while hearing a public interest petition against the Union of India and other respondents. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, noted that the High Court is once again mobilizing relief funds, similar to its efforts in 2023 when extreme weather severely affected the public, damaged infrastructure, and left many homeless.
In line with these directions, Chief Justice Sandhawalia has opened a savings account at UCO Bank in the High Court complex in Shimla for the fund. The account details are as follows:
Account Name: Chief Justice’s Disaster Relief Fund 2025
Account Number: 18330110060070
IFSC Code: UCBA0001833
For donor convenience, a QR code has also been made available for direct transfers.
The Registrar (Accounts) has been appointed as the nodal officer for receiving contributions, which will be distributed through the Secretary of each District Legal Services Authority under the supervision of the Member Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority. These officers are tasked with identifying the most affected families and regions. Cash, clothing, utensils, and other forms of assistance can be deposited with the Registrar (Accounts), who will communicate the details.
The circular further directs all District Legal Services Authorities to identify specific distribution points and involve para-legal volunteers and panel lawyers in the process. Relief efforts will be coordinated by Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, the senior-most judge of the High Court and currently the Executive Chairman of the State Legal Services Authority.
The appeal extends to the entire judicial and legal community of Himachal Pradesh. Contributions are sought from judges, the Advocate General, registrars, district and sessions judges, chairpersons of District Legal Services Authorities, the Law Secretary, the State Legal Services Authority, the Director of the Judicial Academy, the Himachal Pradesh Bar Council, and presidents of High Court and district/sub-divisional bar associations, as well as the Additional Solicitor General of India, judicial officers, registry staff, and the district judiciary.
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