During the proceedings, the special bench, which included Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai and JB Pardiwala, learned that the state has yet to take possession of the Air India building in south Mumbai, where the Bombay High Court’s mediation center is expected to be relocated.
![[Breaking] "Will Hand Over Next Tranche of Land For New Bombay HC building by December": Maharashtra Gov. Tells to SC](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MicrosoftTeams-image-79.png?resize=820%2C547&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: On Thursday(24th Oct), the Maharashtra government informed the Supreme Court that it plans to transfer the next portion of land for the construction of the new Bombay High Court building complex in Mumbai’s Bandra region by December.
During the proceedings, the special bench, which included Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai and JB Pardiwala, learned that the state has yet to take possession of the Air India building in south Mumbai, where the Bombay High Court’s mediation center is expected to be relocated.
The state government stated that it will hand over a total of 30.16 acres of land to the high court in phases, with the first tranche of 4.39 acres already transferred.
Today’s Hearing
On Thursday, Birendra Saraf, the Advocate General for Maharashtra, informed the Supreme Court that the next portion of land for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra will be available by December.
He also mentioned that a judges’ committee, led by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, has scheduled a meeting with state officials on November 12-13 to address various issues.
Saraf noted that expressions of interest have been received for the building project and that a project meeting consultant is being recruited. He added that a structural audit is required for repairs to the Public Works Department (PWD) building. The bench acknowledged his statements and requested the state government to submit a fresh status report, scheduling the next hearing for the first week of January next year.
The bench was reviewing a suo motu case titled “Heritage Building of the Bombay High Court and Allotment of Additional Lands for the High Court.”
Established on August 16, 1862, the Bombay High Court currently occupies a historic building near Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk), which has been in use since November 1878. Due to safety concerns and the need for more space, a new high court complex is proposed at Bandra.
On September 25, the Supreme Court directed the state chief secretary to convene a meeting with the Chief Justice and other judges to discuss the redevelopment of adjacent PWD and annexe buildings, which would facilitate the relocation of some courtrooms and facilities. Until the new complex is completed, it was suggested that certain facilities be moved to a nearby PWD building.
The bench also emphasized the urgent need for repairs to the annexe building of the high court, where some courts and facilities are still operational. Additionally, the Supreme Court asked the state government to consider allocating space in the Air India building for the high court’s arbitration and mediation center.
On September 23, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud laid the foundation stone for the new high court complex, which was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, senior Supreme Court judges, and the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The new complex will feature well-designed and spacious courtrooms, chambers for judges and registry personnel, an arbitration and mediation center, an auditorium, a library, and various amenities for staff, lawyers, and litigants.
The Bombay High Court has jurisdiction over Maharashtra from its principal seat in Mumbai, along with benches in Nagpur and Aurangabad, as well as Goa. It also oversees the Union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Currently, the high court has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges, but only 66 are presently serving. The Supreme Court had acknowledged an April 29 letter petition from Bombay Bar Association President Nitin Thakker and other bar leaders, highlighting the urgent need for accommodation for the high court, whose existing building is 150 years old.
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