Uttarakhand Approves High Court Relocation to Haldwani

The Uttarakhand government approved the relocation of the Uttarakhand High Court from Nainital to Haldwani in August 2026. The final executive order identified a 30-hectare site at Lamachaur on the Haldwani-Rudrapur highway (NH-05) for the new High Court campus.

High Court Relocation and Administrative Powers

The Supreme Court of India set aside a 2024 Uttarakhand High Court order that had blocked the relocation. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana held that establishing or shifting a High Court is an administrative decision.

The Supreme Court directed Uttarakhand authorities to obtain the required clearances and hand over the identified land to the High Court within six weeks. The order was issued on 16 July 2026.

Land Transfer and Site Details

The Uttarakhand Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, approved the transfer of forest land at Lamachaur in Haldwani on 7 August 2026. The final government order of 12 August 2026 replaced a June 2023 proposal for a 26.08-hectare plot in Gaulapar.

The new site lies along NH-05 and is described as a 30-hectare parcel. The order also stated that the existing judicial infrastructure in Nainital will be handed over to the state government after the court shifts.

Public Interest Litigation and Environmental Issues

A Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Uttarakhand High Court on 7 August 2026 against the relocation. The petition described the proposed site as a reserved forest and an elephant corridor.

Local reports on 8 August 2026 mentioned environmental concerns near Bel Baba temple on Rampur Road. The reports stated that about 15,000 newly planted saplings may need to be cleared for construction.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Uttarakhand High Court is one of the constitutional courts under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.
• High Courts in India are established under Article 214 and their jurisdiction is defined by the Constitution and relevant laws.
• Public Interest Litigation is a judicial mechanism used in India for matters involving public rights and collective interest.
• NH-05 is a national highway route number used in India’s highway numbering system.

Current Status

The final approval for relocation was issued on 12 August 2026 by Principal Secretary (Justice) Amit Kumar Sirohi. The Public Works Department was directed to fast-track the construction formalities for the new campus.