THE DELHI HIGH COURT ACT, 1966

No.26 OF 1966
[5th September, 1966]

An act to provide for the constittion of a !i"h #ort for the $nion territor% of &e'hi, for the
e(tension of the )risdiction of that !i"h #ort to the $nion territor% of !imacha' *radesh and for
matters connected there+ith.
,- it enacted b% *ar'iament in the Seventeenth .ear of the /epb'ic of 0ndia as fo''o+s122
1.Short title and commencement. 314 5his Act ma% be ca''ed the &e'hi !i"h #ort Act, 1966.
324 Section 16 sha'' come into force on sch date as the #entra' 7overnment ma%, b% notification
in the Officia' 7a8ette, appoint9 and the remainin" provisions of this Act sha'' come into force at
once.
!.De"inition#. 0n this Act, n'ess the conte(t other+ise re:ires,2
3a4 ;appointed da%; means the date appointed nder section <9
3b4 ;notified order; means order notified in the Officia' 7a8ette.
$.Hi%h Co&rt. 314 As from sch date as the #entra' 7overnment ma%, b% !i"h notification in the
Officia' 7a8ette, appoint, there sha'' be a !i"h #ort for the $nion territor% of &e'hi 3hereinafter
referred to as the !i"h #ort of &e'hi4.
324 5he principa' seat of the !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' be at &e'hi or at sch other p'ace as the
*resident ma%, b% notified order, appoint.
3<4 Not+ithstandin" an%thin" contained in sb2section 324, the =d"es and &ivision #orts of the
!i"h #ort of &e'hi ma% sit at sch other p'ace or p'aces other than its principa' seat as the #hief
=stice ma%, +ith the approva' of the *resident, appoint.
'.E(ce)tion# and modi"ication# #&*+ect to ,hich the )ro-i#ion# o" Cha)ter . o" /art .I o"
the Con#tit&tion a))l0 to the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. 314 5he provisions of #hapter > of *art >0
of the #onstittion sha'', in their app'ication to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi, have effect sb)ect to the
fo''o+in" e(ceptions and modifications, name'%122
3a4 in artic'e 216, the +ords ;the 7overnor of the State; sha'' be omitted and in re'ation to
appointments to be made nder sb2section 324, that artic'e sha'' be constred as if the +ords
;and, in the case of appointment of a =d"e other than the #hief =stice, the #hief =stice of the
!i"h #ort,; had a'so been omitted9
3b4 in artic'e 219, the reference to the 7overnor of the State, and in the proviso to c'ase 3<4 of
artic'e 226, the reference to the 7overnor, sha'' be constred as a reference to the administrator
of the $nion territor% of &e'hi9
3c4 the provisions of artic'e 225 sha'' not app'%9
3d4 in artic'e 229,22
3i4 the reference to the 7overnor of the State sha'' be constred as references to the
administrator of the $nion territor% of &e'hi9
3ii4 the references to the State *b'ic Service #ommission, the ?e"is'atre of the State and the
#onso'idated Fnd of the State sha'' be constred, respective'%, as references to the $nion
*b'ic Service #ommission, *ar'iament and the #onso'idated Fnd of 0ndia9
3e4 the provisions of artic'e 2<@ sha'' app'% sb)ect to the modifications that22
3i4 in c'ase 314 thereof, for the +ords ;!i"h #ort; in both the p'aces +here the% occr, the +ords
;!i"h #ort for a $nion territor%; and for the +ords ;an% $nion territor%; the +ords ;an% other
$nion territor%; sha'' be sbstitted9
3ii4 for c'ase 324 thereof, the fo''o+in" c'ase sha'' be sbstitted, name'%122
;324 Ahere the !i"h #ort for a $nion territor% e(ercises )risdiction in re'ation to another $nion
territor%, the reference in artic'e 226 of the administrator of the $nion territor% of &e'hi sha'', in
re'ation to an% r'es, forms or tab'es for sbordinate corts in that other $nion territor%, be
constred as a reference to the administrator of that other $nion territor%.;.
324 ,et+een the comin" into force of this section and the appointed da%, the *resident ma%, after
cons'tation +ith the #hief =stice of 0ndia, appointed the #hief =stice of the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
and as man% other =d"es of the said !i"h #ort as he thinBs fit, and an% appointments so made
sha'' taBe effect as from the appointed da%.
1.2&ri#diction o" Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. 314 5he !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' have, in respect of the
territories for the time bein" inc'ded in the $nion territor% of &e'hi, a'' sch ori"ina', appe''ate and
other )risdiction as, nder the 'a+ in force immediate'% before the appointed da%, is e(ercisab'e
in respect of the said territories b% the !i"h #ort of *n)ab.
324 Not+ithstandin" an%thin" contained in an% 'a+ for the time bein" in force, the !i"h #ort of
&e'hi sha'' a'so have in respect of the said territories ordinar% ori"ina' civi' )risdiction in ever% sit
the va'e of +hich e(ceeds t+ent%2five thosand rpees.
6./o,er to enrol le%al )ractitioner#, etc.. 314 5he !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' have 'iBe po+ers to
approve, admit, enro', remove and sspend 'e"a' practitioners, and to maBe r'es +ith respect to
them, as are, nder the 'a+ in force immediate'% before the appointed da%, e(ercisab'e b% the
!i"h #ort of *n)ab.
324 5he ri"ht of adience in the !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' be re"'ated in accordance +ith the 'iBe
principa's, as, immediate'% before the appointed da%, are in force +ith respect to the ri"ht of
adience in the !i"h #ort of *n)ab.
*rovided that sb)ect to an% r'e made or direction "iven b% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi in the
e(ercise of the po+ers conferred b% this section, an% person +ho immediate'% before the
appointed da% is an advocate entit'ed to practise or an attorne% entit'ed to act in the !i"h #ort of
*n)ab sha'' be reco"nised as an advocate or an attorne% entit'ed to practise or act, as the case
ma% be, in the !i"h #ort of &e'hi.
3./ractice and )roced&re in the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. Sb)ect to the provisions of that Act, the
'a+ in force immediate'% before the appointed da% +ith respect to practice and procedre in the
!i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'', +ith the necessar% modifications, app'% in re'ation to the !i"h #ort of
&e'hi and accordin"'% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' have a'' sch po+ers to maBe r'es and
orders +ith respect to practice and procedre as are immediate'% before the appointed da%
e(ercisab'e b% the !i"h #ort of *n)ab and sha'' a'so have po+ers to maBe r'es and orders
+ith respect to practice and procedre for the e(ercise of its ordinar% ori"ina' civi' )risdiction1
*rovided that an% r'es or orders +hich are in force immediate'% before the appointed da% +ith
respect to practice and procedre in the !i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'', nti' varied or revoBed b%
r'es or orders made b% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi, app'% +ith the necessar% modifications in re'ation
to practice and procedre in the !i"h #ort of &e'hi as if made b% that !i"h #ort.
4.C&#tod0 o" the Seal o" the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. 5he 'a+ in force immediate'% before the
appointed da% +ith respect to the cstod% of the Sea' of the !i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'', +ith the
necessar% modifications, app'% +ith respect to the cstod% of the Sea' of the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
9.5orm o" ,rit# and other )roce##e#. 5he 'a+ in force immediate'% before the appointed da%
+ith respect to the form or +rits and other processes sed, issed or a+arded b% the !i"h #ort
of *n)ab sha'', +ith the necessar% modifications, app'% +ith respect to the form of +rits and other
processes sed, issed or a+arded b% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
16./o,er# o" 2&d%e#. 314 Ahere a sin"'e =d"e of the !i"h #ort of &e'hi e(ercises ordinar%
ori"ina' civi' )risdiction conferred b% sb2section 324 of section 5 on that #ort, an appea' sha'' 'ie
from the )d"ement of the sin"'e =d"e to a &ivision #ort of that !i"h #ort.
324 Sb)ect to the provisions of sb2section 314, the 'a+ in force immediate'% before the appointed
da% re'atin" to the po+ers of the #hief =stice, sin"'e =d"es and &ivision #orts of the !i"h
#ort of *n)ab and +ith respect to a'' matters anci''ar% to the e(ercise of those po+ers, sha'',
+ith the necessar% modifications, app'% in re'ation to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
11./roced&re a# to a))eal# to S&)reme Co&rt. 5he 'a+ in force immediate'% before the
appointed da% re'atin" to appea's to the Spreme #ort from the !i"h #ort of *n)ab and the
=d"es and &ivision #orts thereof sha'', +ith the necessar% modifications, app'% in re'ation to the
!i"h #ort of &e'hi
1!.Tran#"er o" )roceedin%# "rom the Hi%h Co&rt o" /&n+a* to the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. 314
-(cept as hereinafter provided, the !i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'', as from the appointed da%, have
no )risdiction in respect of the $nion territor% of &e'hi.
324 Sch proceedin"s pendin" in the !i"h #ort of *n)ab immediate'% before the appointed da%
as are certified, +hether before or after that da%, b% the #hief =stice of the !i"h #ort havin"
re"ard to the p'ace of accra' of the case of action and other circmstances to the proceedin"s
+hich o"ht to be heard and decided b% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi, sha'', as soon as ma% be after
sch certification, be transferred to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
3<4 Not+ithstandin" an%thin" contained in sb2sections 314 and 324 of this section and in section 5,
bt save as hereinafter provided, the !i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'' have, and the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
sha'' not have, )risdiction to entertain, hear or dispose of, appea's, app'ications for 'eave to
appea' inc'din" 'eave to appea' to the spreme #ort, app'ications for revie+ and other
proceedin"s +here an% sch proceedin"s seeB an% re'ief in respect of an% order passed b% the
!i"h #ort of *n)ab before the appointed da%1
*rovided that if after an% sch proceedin"s have been entertained b% the !i"h #ort of *n)ab, it
appears to the #hief =stice of that !i"h #ort that the% o"ht to be transferred to the !i"h #ort
of &e'hi, he sha'' order that the% sha'' be so transferred, and sch proceedin"s sha'' therepon be
transferred accordin"'%.
3C4 An% order made b% the !i"h #ort of *n)ab22
3a4 before the appointed da%, in an% proceedin"s transferred to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi b% virte
of sb2section 3249
3b4 in an% proceedin"s +ith respect to +hich the !i"h #ort of *n)ab retains )risdiction b% virte
of sb2section 3<4.
sha'' for a'' prposes have effect, not on'% as an order of the !i"h #ort of *n)ab, bt a'so as an
order made b% the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
1$.Ri%ht to a))ear or to act in )roceedin%# tran#"erred to the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. An%
person +ho, immediate'% before the appointed da%, is an advocate entit'ed to practise or an
attorne% entit'ed to act, in the !i"h #ort of *n)ab, and +as athorised to appear or to act in an%
proceedin"s transferred from the !i"h #ort to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi nder section 12, sha''
have the ri"ht to appear or to act, as the case ma% be, in the !i"h #ort of &e'hi in re'ation to
those proceedin"s.
1'.Inter)retation. For the prposes of sections 12 and 16,22
3a4 proceedin"s sha'' be deemed to be pendin" in a cort nti' that cort has disposed of a''
isses bet+een the parties, inc'din" an% isses +ith respect to the ta(ation of the costs of the
proceedin"s and sha'' inc'de appea's, app'ications for 'eave to appea' to the Spreme #ort,
app'ications for revie+, petitions for revision and petitions for +rits9
3b4 references to a !i"h #ort sha'' be constred as inc'din" references to a =d"e of &ivision
#ort thereof, and references to an order made b% a cort or a =d"e sha'' be constred as
inc'din" references to a sentence, )d"ement or decree passed or made b% that cort or =d"e.
11.Sa-in%#. Save as provided in section C, nothin" in this Act sha'' affect the app'ication to the
!i"h #ort of &e'hi of an% provisions of the #onstittion, and this Act sha'' have effect sb)ect to
an% provision that ma% be made on or after the appointed da% +ith respect to that !i"h #ort b%
the ?e"is'atre or other athorit% havin" po+er to maBe sch provision.
16./endin% )roceedin%# *e"ore #&*ordinate Co&rt# in Delhi. A'' proceedin"s pendin"
immediate'% before the appointed da% in an% sbordinate cort in the $nion territor% of &e'hi in or
in re'ation to an% sch civi' sit as is referred to in sb2section 324 of section 5 sha'' on that da%
stand transferred to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi +hich sha'' proceed to tr%, hear and determine the
matter as if it had been pendin" therein.
13.E(ten#ion o" the +&ri#diction o" the Hi%h Co&rt o" Delhi. 314 As from sch date as the
#entra' 7overnment ma%, b% notification in the Officia' 7a8ette, appoint 3hereinafter referred to as
the prescribed date4, the )risdiction of the !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' e(tend to the $nion territor%
of !imacha' *radesh.
324 As from the prescribed date the #ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner for !imacha' *radesh
sha'' cease to fnction and is hereb% abo'ished1
*rovided that nothin" in this sb2section sha'' pre)dice or affect the contined operation of an%
notice served, in)nction issed, direction "iven, or proceedin"s taBen before the prescribed date
b% the #ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner for !imacha' *radesh abo'ished, b% this sb2section.
3<4 5he !i"h #ort of &e'hi sha'' have, in respect of the territories for the time bein" inc'ded in
the $nion territor% of !imacha' *radesh,22
3a4 a'' sch ori"ina', appe''ate and other )risdiction as nder the 'a+ in force immediate'% before
the prescribed date, is e(ercisab'e in respect of the said territories b% the #ort of the =dicia'
#ommissioner for !imacha' *radesh9 and a'so
3b4 ordinar% ori"ina' civi' )risdiction in ever% sit the va'e of +hich e(ceeds t+ent%2five thosand
rpees, not+ithstandin" an%thin" contained in an% 'a+ for the time bein" in force.
3C4 A'' proceedin"s pendin" in the #ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner for !imacha' *radesh
before the prescribed date sha'' stand transferred to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
354 An% order made before the prescribed date b% the #ort referred to in sb2section 3C4 sha'' for
a'' prposes have effect not on'% as an order of that #ort bt a'so as an order of the !i"h #ort
of &e'hi
364 For the remova' of dobts, it is hereb% dec'ared that the provisions of sections 6 to 11 and 1<
sha'', +ith the necessar% modifications, app'% to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi in the e(ercise of
)risdiction conferred pon it b% this section.
364 A'' proceedin"s pendin" immediate'% before the prescribed date in an% sbordinate cort in
the $nion territor% of !imacha' *radesh in or in re'ation to an% sch civi' sit as is referred to in
c'ase 3b4 of sb2section 3<4 sha'' on that date stand transferred to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi +hich
sha'' proceed to tr%, hear and determine the matter as if it had been pendin" therein.
14.R&le o" con#tr&ction. 314 /eferences in an% 'a+ in force in the $nion territor% of &e'hi to the
!i"h #ort of *n)ab sha'', as from the appointed da%, be constred in re'ation to that $nion
territor% as references to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
324 /eferences in an% 'a+ in force in the $nion territor% of !imacha' *radesh of the !i"h #ort of
*n)ab or to the #ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner for that territor% sha'', as from the prescribed
date, be constred in re'ation to that $nion territor% as references to the !i"h #ort of &e'hi
19.Amendment o" certain la,#. 5he 'a+s specified in the Sched'e sha'' be amended in the
manner and +ith effect from the date specified therein.
!6./o,er to remo-e di""ic&ltie#. 314 0f an% diffic't% arises in "ivin" effect to the provisions of
this Act, the #entra' 7overnment ma%, b% notified order, maBe sch provision as appears to it to
be necessar% or e(pedient for the remova' of the diffic't%.
324 -ver% order made nder this section sha'' be 'aid as soon as ma% be after it is made before
each !ose of *ar'iament +hi'e it is in session for a tota' period of thirt% da%s +hich ma% be
comprised in one session or in t+o sccessive sessions, and if, before the e(pir% of the session in
+hich it is so 'aid or the session immediate'% fo''o+in", both !oses a"ree in maBin" an%
modification in the order or both !oses a"ree that the order sho'd not be made, the order sha''
thereafter have effect on'% in sch modified from or be of no effect, as the case ma% be9 so,
ho+ever, that an% sch modification or ann'ment sha'' be +ithot pre)dice to the va'idit% of
an%thin" previos'% done nder that order.
!1./o,er to ada)t la,#. For the prpose faci'itatin" the app'ication of an% 'a+ in re'ation to the
$nion territor% of &e'hi or !imacha' *radesh, the #entra' 7overnment ma%, before the e(piration
of t+o %ears from the appointed da% in re'ation to the $nion territor% of &e'hi and before the
e(piration of t+o %ears from the prescribed date in re'ation to the $nion territor% of !imacha'
*radesh, b% order, maBe sch adaptations and modifications of the 'a+, +hether b% +a% of repea'
or amendment, as ma% be necessar% or e(pedient to "ive effect to the provisions of this Act and
therepon ever% sch 'a+ sha'' have effect sb)ect to the adaptations and modifications so made
nti' re'ated, repea'ed or amended b% a competent ?e"is'atre or other competent athorit%.
THE SCHEDULE 3See section 194
I./&n+a* Act .I o" 1914. As from the appointment da%, in the *n)ab #orts Act, 191D, as in
force in the $nion territor% of &e'hi,22
3i4 in section 25, for the +ords ;in ori"ina' civi' sits +ithot 'imit as re"ards the va'e;, the +ords
;in ever% ori"ina' civi' sit the va'e of +hich does not e(ceed t+ent%2five thosand rpees; sha''
be sbstitted9
3ii4 in section 26, for the +ords ;5he )risdiction;, the +ords and fi"res ;Sb)ect to the 'imit
specified in section 25, the )risdiction; sha'' be sbstitted.
00.As from the prescribed date, in the =dicia' #ommissionersE #orts 3&ec'aration as !i"h
#orts4 Acts, 195@315 of 195@4, in section <, the e(pression ;!imacha' *radesh,; sha'' be
omitted.
III.A# "rom the )re#cri*ed date, in the Himachal /rade#h 7Co&rt#8 Order, 19'4,
3i4 thro"hot the Order, save as other+ise e(press'% provided, for the +ords ;#hief
#ommissioner;, the +ords ;?ietenant 7overnor; sha'' be sbstitted and for the +ords ;=dicia'
#ommissioner; or ;#ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner;, the +ords ;!i"h #ort; sha'' be
sbstitted, and sch conse:entia' amendments as the r'es of "rammar ma% re:ire sha'' be
made9
3ii4 #hapter 00 sha'' be omitted9
3iii4 in para"raph 15, the +ords ;the #ort of the =dicia' #ommissioner and; sha'' be omitted9
3iv4 in para"raph 2@, for the +ords ;in civi' sits +ithot 'imit as re"ards the va'e;, the +ords ;in
ever% civi' sit the va'e of +hich does not e(ceed t+ent%2five thosand rpees; sha'' be
sbstitted9
3v4 in para"raph 21, for the +ords ;5he )risdiction;, the +ords and fi"res ;Sb)ect to the 'imit
specified in para"raph 2@, the )risdiction; sha'' be sbstitted9
3vi4 in para"raph <6, sb2para"raph 314 sha'' be omitted and in sb2para"raph 324, for the +ords,
bracBets and fi"re ;nder sb2para"raph 314;, the +ords and fi"res ;for the e(ercise of the
)risdiction nder para"raph <5; sha'' be sbstitted.