Maharashtra Govt To Allot 30 Acres Land In Bandra East For New Bombay High Court Building

Advocate General Birendra Saraf said that the Public Works Department has agreed to surrender the land for a new High Court Complex. The process of formal reservation and GR will follow.

The complex would have central tribunals, chambers for lawyers along with judge's chambers, he said, and a circular was handed over by the PWD to the bench.

The submission came during the hearing in a contempt petition filed by advocate Ahmed Abdi seeking implementation of the High Court's 2019 order in his PIL highlighting the need to shift the court premises to a more spacious building.

On Thursday the matter was heard by the bench of Acting Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne.

While the court disposed of the contempt petition, the PIL is listed for compliance on June 10, 2023. Advocate Abdi said the plea has been pending for several years.

In 2019, the Bombay High Court had injuncted the state government from taking any decision on a 44-acre Bandra East plot till it took a stand on the new court complex. The High Court had observed that the government was “essentially denying justice to litigants” by delaying the decision.

The order was passed by the division bench of Justices AS Oka and MS Sonak.

The bench had noted that the current building was meant to house just around six to seven courts when it became functional in 1878, though the High Court, an institution , was established in 1862. Now with the sanctioned strength of 94 judges and, around 35 judges serving in the 138-year-old building, the space has clearly been found to be insufficient.

It had noted that the building as it stands doesn’t have adequate space for court rooms, chambers for the judges and lawyers, as well as for thousands of litigants who come each day.

“Even the state is not disputing the fact that there is a need for more space. By continuing the functioning of the high court from the current building, the state government is effectively denying access to justice to litigants,” the bench said.

The circular by PWD stated that the area reserved for lawyer's chambers would generate revenue.

"Court complex and residences (8.5 hectares). 3.63 hectares for Central Tribunal and Advocates' Chambers for commercial sale."