A petition filed in the Supreme Court urges the government to halt the demolition of the historic Supreme Court building, proposing the construction of a new one elsewhere, despite the planned 800 Cr. reconstruction investment. Petitioner KK Ramesh argues for repurposing the current building to accommodate various legal and governmental entities.
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NEW DELHI: Recently, A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Union government and the top court registry to stop the proposed demolition of the Supreme Court building. Instead, the plea advocates for constructing a new Supreme Court building at a different location.
The petitioner, KK Ramesh, contends that the current Supreme Court building holds significant historical value, having been established post-India’s independence. He suggests that rather than demolishing this landmark, the building should be repurposed to house other courts, tribunals, and government establishments currently operating in rented private properties.
Ramesh’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlights that the Supreme Court presently operates with 17 courtrooms and two registrar courtrooms. The Centre’s proposed demolition plan aims to reconstruct the building with 27 courtrooms and four registrar courtrooms at an estimated cost of Rs 800 crore.
However, the petitioner argues-
“The addition of 27 courtrooms alongside the four registrar courtrooms may not adequately meet future demands, given India’s rapidly growing economy and civilization. With the escalating number of Supreme Court cases, this setup could pose significant inconvenience to the Indian populace within a decade.”
The petition further critiques the Centre’s lack of transparency regarding the new design of the Supreme Court building, emphasizing that no consultations have been held with the general public or relevant bar associations.
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The petition equates the proposed demolition to erasing a part of Indian history.
“By demolishing a salvageable structure, we are erasing a piece of our heritage. Many argue that destroying a historically significant property is ethically questionable and tantamount to obliterating a fragment of our past. Once lost, such irreplaceable relics vanish forever.”
-the plea asserts.
KK Ramesh, who describes himself as a public spiritual person, filed the writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. He seeks a directive to the Centre to preserve the Supreme Court building and use it to accommodate various tribunals and government offices currently in rented premises. He suggests constructing a new Supreme Court building at a different location.
The petition names the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India as respondents, urging them to consider alternative solutions.
During the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Supreme Court on January 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre had approved Rs 800 crore for expanding the court’s complex. PM Modi expressed his hope that no petitions would be filed to hinder the new construction, drawing a parallel to the Central Vista project.
Despite this announcement, the petitioner argues that the Centre has acknowledged that the current Supreme Court building poses no structural threat and, therefore, should be preserved. He questions the necessity of spending such a significant amount merely to add ten more courtrooms, particularly given the rapid increase in Supreme Court cases due to the growing economy and population.
Ramesh also raises concerns about the absence of a disclosed design for the new Supreme Court building and the lack of consultation with the public and bar associations. He argues that this approach violates the principles of natural justice and fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Indian Constitution.
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The petition cites Chief Justice of India Chandrachud’s address on the 77th Independence Day, where he announced the construction of a new Supreme Court building. The petitioner argues that construction projects of this magnitude are inherently complex and pose numerous risks, including pollution from demolition and reconstruction activities.
Furthermore, Ramesh emphasizes the severe shortage of tribunal and court accommodations in Delhi, noting that many central government offices are currently scattered across rented buildings, incurring substantial costs. He suggests that the existing Supreme Court building could effectively address these accommodation challenges if preserved and repurposed.
