SC tells Maha to expedite work on Bombay HC building
COURT DIRECTED STATE PWD TO CONDUCT AUDIT FOR ASSESSING BUILDING SAFETY
DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Maharashtra government to show alacrity in handing over the land meant for construction of a new Bombay high court complex and roped in the Centre to explore alternate space for shifting some of the files and personnel to reduce the burden of the existing court building which is a 150year old heritage structure. Taking up a suo motu proceeding in this regard, a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud said, “We want the state to be more proactive. The land was allotted in March 2023. You should immediately hand it over.”
The bench, also comprising justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala interacted with solicitor general Tushar Mehta and Maharashtra advocate general Birendra Saraf and directed that an alternate building close to the existing HC building at Fort Mumbai be explored by the next date of hearing on May 17. Even the state public works department was ordered to conduct a structural audit of the HC building by the next date.
A plot of land measuring over 30 acres at Bandra East was allotted for construction of the HC and lawyers’ chamber. However, the HC was yet to get possession as it presently houses government staff quarters. Saraf told the court that by December this year, over 9 acres will be handed over to HC and another 73 acres by March next year. He said that alternate accommodation is being arranged or the relocation of the government housing colony situated at the plot.
The court said, “We are of the view that the state must act with all alacrity and substantially expedite handing over of the land so that construction can commence soon.”
Mehta told the court that the Centre supports the proposal for new HC building and will take instructions on moving some of the HC departments to any adjacent government building for the time being. The top court said, “The construction of HC may take 2 years. Meanwhile, there must be a structural audit of the present building.”
Pointing to the heritage structure which is 150 years old, the court said, “The existing building is bearing the burden of several facillities, chambers and courts of judges. Need for the HC to have additional space is pressing.”
The court directed the state PWD to conduct an audit for assessing building safety. It also tasked the HC chief justice and building construction committee with finalising plans for the new court complex in consultation with central PWD. Nitin Thakker, president of the Bombay Bar Association, attended the hearing. The court clarified to Saraf and Thakker that the proceedings aim to expedite HC construction, not take over the work done by the HC chief justice.