The Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the Maharashtra government to accelerate the process of handing over the remaining land required for the construction of the new Bombay High Court complex at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
The state government is required to allot a total of 30.16 acres for the project in a phased manner. During the hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was informed that 20.15 acres have already been handed over to the High Court administration.
The Maharashtra government told the court that 5.27 acres would be transferred by July 31, while the remaining 4.74 acres would be handed over by December 31, 2026.
Responding to the timeline, the Chief Justice remarked, “The entire project will come to a standstill… Why are you taking so much time?”
The bench subsequently instructed the state to expedite the transfer process and make every effort to hand over the remaining land at the earliest. The matter has now been listed for further hearing in the first week of August.
The apex court also directed the High Court steering committee overseeing the project to hear registered bar associations, including the Bombay Bar Association led by Nitin Thakker.
The proceedings are part of the suo motu matter titled “In Re: Heritage Building of the Bombay High Court and allotment of additional lands for the High Court,” initiated after a letter petition submitted on April 29, 2024 by bar leaders highlighting the urgent requirement for expanded judicial infrastructure.
The existing Bombay High Court building near Flora Fountain has been operational since 1878 and is over 150 years old. Concerns regarding safety, space constraints and rising judicial requirements led to the proposal for a new court complex at BKC.
The upcoming complex will include spacious courtrooms, judges’ chambers, registry offices, an arbitration and mediation centre, a library, an auditorium and other facilities for lawyers, litigants and court staff.
The Bombay High Court currently has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges and exercises jurisdiction across Maharashtra, Goa and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Source: Hindustan Times
