The Supreme Court’s directive to release the first tranche of land for the construction of the new Bombay High Court building signifies a significant step forward in the relocation process. The Court’s emphasis on expediting the project and exploring temporary alternative sites demonstrates the commitment to ensuring the smooth transition of the High Court.
NEW DELHI: Today (17 May): The Supreme Court issued a directive to the Maharashtra Government, ordering the release of the first tranche of land required for the construction of the new Bombay High Court building. This decision comes after a suo motu case initiated by the Bombay Bar Association President, Nitin Thakker, and others.
The Supreme Court, consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala, directed the Maharashtra Government to release the first tranche of land for the construction to commence without delay.
The Court emphasized
State government should not wait until December 2024 to hand over the entire 9.64 acres of land designated for the project. “We direct Maharashtra govt to release the first tranche of land for the construction to commence. The Government of Maharashtra need not wait till December 2024 to hand over the entire 9.64 acre of land,” the Court said.
The Bombay High Court had previously requested that the Maharashtra government explore land availability in Goregaon for the construction of the new High Court complex. However, during a previous hearing on May 7, the Supreme Court expressed concerns about the proposed location and ordered expedited action to relocate the complex to Bandra. The Court recognized the existence of staff colonies on the proposed Bandra land but emphasized the need for additional space for the High Court
Since the construction of the new High Court building will take several years, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for a temporary alternative site during the transition period. The Court directed a meeting between a representative of the central government, the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, and the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to discuss this matter. Potential options for the temporary site include vacant floors in the Air India building and available space in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court about the Chief Justice’s recommendation for a dedicated Bombay Arbitration Centre. He suggested utilizing vacant buildings no longer owned by the government to facilitate necessary demolitions and construction.
READ ALSO: Bombay HC Rebukes Maharashtra Govt. Over Benefits Denial to ‘Martyred Army Major’s Widow’
The Court agreed and further discussed the selection of architects for the new High Court building. While SG Mehta proposed a design competition, the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court favored selecting the best architects from a pool of four to five top contenders, with the final decision made by the bar and bench.
Further proceedings on the matter are scheduled on July 15 to assess the progress.
