In the suo motu case titled ‘Heritage Building of the Bombay High Court and Allotment of Additional Lands for the High Court,’ the court also instructed the state government to declare the high court’s project as “vital” to prevent delays due to the model code of conduct for upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
NEW DELHI: On Thursday(22nd Aug), the Supreme Court directed the Maharashtra Government to issue an order by September 7 for transferring land at the Bandra-Kurla complex to the Bombay High Court for its new building construction.
In the suo motu case titled ‘Heritage Building of the Bombay High Court and Allotment of Additional Lands for the High Court,’ the court also instructed the state government to declare the high court’s project as “vital” to prevent delays due to the model code of conduct for upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.
A special bench, including Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai and J B Pardiwala, further asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to coordinate with the Bank of India’s chairperson regarding the transfer of a portion of a Mumbai building to accommodate some high court facilities.
At the beginning of the proceedings, the bench inquired about the progress of the case. Advocate General of Maharashtra, Birendra Saraf, reported that significant progress had been made, with the state government working to transfer the land to the high court, and the first phase expected to conclude by September 10.
The bench emphasized the need to expedite repairs on the alternative premises at the CPO complex and the Bank of India building so the high court can use these facilities.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that the Centre would provide prompt support. The bench instructed that once the alternative premises are handed over to the high court, funds should be quickly released to modify the premises as needed.
Previously, on July 15, the state government had committed to transferring 4.39 acres of land to the high court for its new building by September 10.
The Supreme Court, acting suo motu, had taken note of a petition dated April 29 from Bombay Bar Association president Nitin Thakker and other bar leaders regarding the urgent need for accommodation for the Bombay High Court, whose current building is 150 years old.
The bench was informed that the remaining 30.46 acres would also be transferred to the high court within a specified timeframe. On July 8, 2024, the Chief Justice of the High Court convened a meeting with the Judges Committee overseeing the new building’s construction, followed by another meeting on July 9 with all stakeholders, including government officials.
It was reported that by September 10, 2024, 4.39 acres at Bandra-Kurla complex would be handed over to the high court, with the state indicating that the remaining 30.16 acres would be transferred in phases. The court noted that the Maharashtra government has shortlisted eight architects for the design planning and directed a meeting with these architects to discuss the high court’s requirements before they present their designs to the state government.
The high court had previously approved the Maharashtra government’s proposal for land at Bandra East in Mumbai, although some portions were occupied by government housing colonies.
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