The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Maharashtra government to conduct a security audit of the 150-year-old Bombay High Court building over concerns over its safety and the need for more space. A special bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala ordered the government to expedite plans for the site earmarked for construction of a new high court building in Mumbai, PTI reported.
According to the report, the court emphasized the importance of the matter and stated that the state government should act quickly to provide the amenities demanded by the apex court. He directed the state Public Works Department (PWD) to take the matter seriously and meet the high court to expedite the necessary designs.
The court highlighted the need to maintain structural safety in the existing facilities and directed the state PWD to conduct a safety review promptly. The court also ordered the administration to present an update on the efforts made at the next hearing.
“To ensure structural safety of the existing facilities, the State PWD will immediately conduct a safety audit and inform you in the next hearing about the measures taken in this regard,” the court said.
The Supreme Court’s suo motu jurisdiction was invoked in response to an appeal letter by Bombay Bar Council president Nitin Thakker and other lawyer leaders underlining the Bombay High Court’s urgent need for additional housing, the court added. PTI report.
According to the report, recognizing the urgent need for more space, the court commented that the current structure is 150 years old and granted the Maharashtra government’s plea for allotment of land in Bandra East, Mumbai. He acknowledged the difficulties associated with transferring residents from government housing colonies already occupying some of the proposed properties.
“The assumption of suo motu jurisdiction of this court has been based on the urgent accommodation needs of the Bombay Judiciary High Court. The existing building is 150 years old. The High Court has approved the proposal of the Maharashtra government for the acquisition of land. in Bandra East in Mumbai,” the court said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that he supports the development of a new high court building and was urged to help resolve the issue, the report added.
The Supreme Court promised that its intervention would not disturb the proceedings before the Bombay High Court. Earlier, the Bombay High Court had asked the Maharashtra PWD to study the availability of land in Goregaon for the new high court complex, taking into account accessibility considerations of the proposed coastal road.