HIGH COURT EYES GOREGAON FOR NEW COMPLEX

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court directed the Maharashtra government to explore utilising suburban Goregaon land amidst delays in transferring allotted Bandra land for a new high court complex. This directive followed a contempt petition by lawyer Ahmed Abdi over non-compliance with a 2018 court order. The court highlighted challenges due to space constraints at the current heritage building and requested an affidavit detailing steps to vacate earmarked land. Advocate General Birendra Saraf provided insights into the Bandra land transfer timeline, intending to designate it a “public project of vital importance” post-elections. He outlined a redevelopment scheme for the Bandra site, aided by the Economic Development Co-operation Fund from South Korea. The proposed High Court complex spans 30.16 acres, with possession expected by March 2025. Expressing dissatisfaction with the Bandra plot’s slow vacation, the Court revisited the Goregaon land option, recognising its potential viability. Chief Justice Upadhyaya stressed urgency, aiming for a new High Court building by 2030. Saraf recounted Goregaon’s prior rejection due to accessibility concerns, even after a larger parcel offered by the government. He noted that a portion was allocated for Maharashtra National Law University. Once the general election’s Code of Conduct concludes, the government plans to designate Bandra land as a matter of public importance to expedite construction. The court, allowing the designation, suggested a re-evaluation, awaiting further deliberation in June.