Supreme Court Asks Maharashtra Govt To Hand Over Land For New Bombay HC Building By Aug 31

Today, the Supreme Court issued new deadline of August 31 for the Maharashtra Government to handover the land in the Bandra Kurla Complex allotted for the new building of the Bombay High Court, considering the speedily dilapidating condition of the 150-year-old structure.

The Court was hearing a suo moto petition after several letter petitions were sent by various Bar Associations regarding the issue of land allotment for the High Court building.  

On May 17, the Supreme Court directed the Maharashtra Government to release the first tranche of land in Bandra. The Court stated that the Government need not wait till December 2024 to allot the entire 9.64 acres for the High Court out of the total area of 30.16 acres allotted.

On July 15, the Maharashtra Government informed the Supreme Court that a land parcel of 4.39 acres in Bandra would be vacated and handed over by September 10 to the Bombay High Court for the new building.

A special Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud comprising Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala was today apprised by Maharashtra Advocate General Birendra Saraf that a lot of progress has been made for handing over the 4.39 acres of land by September 10.

During the hearings, the CJI flagged certain concerns. He said: "The Registrar of the High Court has indicated that the Government should issue two separate Government Resolutions for handing over the possession of entire land at the Bandra Kurla Complex and declaring the project as Project of Vital Importance."

Saraf had submitted that steps for declaring the project of vital importance have already been initiated. 

In this regard, the CJI reiterated that the Maharashtra Government should take necessary steps. The court directed the government to positively issue fresh Government Resolutions. It has stated that the Government Resolution for the payment of project should be issued by September 7.

The court issued the following directions: "Possession be handed over to the High Court by August 31. The State Government shall process all administrative sanctions by September 7. The Committee headed by the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court is requested to take the stock of the progress so that the work is completed preferably by October 1." 

The Court also heard the President of Bombay Bar Association, Senior Advocate Nitin Thakker, who requested that the project be declared as of national importance to expedite the process. SG Tushar Mehta assured that the Union Government will extend all cooperation on priority basis and such a declaration might not be necessary.

As for the lands for alternative premises for the High Court, the court acknowledged the submission of Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta's that he would take up the issue of handing of the Bank of India (BOI) premises with the Chairman. 

Case Details : IN RE: HERITAGE BUILDING OF THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT AND ALLOTMENT OF ADDITIONAL LANDS FOR THE HIGH COURT