The Bombay High Court has emphasized the preservation of its over-150-year-old heritage building while discussing the construction of a new high court complex on allotted land in Bandra (East). The court's remarks were made during a hearing on a petition concerning the allocation of land for the new complex.
In January 2019, the High Court directed the State government to decide on providing a suitable plot for the new High Court complex. The petitioner, advocate Ahmad Abdi, later sought contempt of court action against the government for non-compliance with the 2019 order.
The court was informed on March 30 that the Maharashtra government had decided to allocate 30.16 acres of land in Bandra for the new building. Subsequently, a high-powered committee (HPC), including representatives from the Chief Justice, Chief Minister, and various state departments, was formed to oversee the construction.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya underscored the importance of maintaining the historical and archaeological significance of the existing High Court building. He urged the State government and High Court administration to expedite the shift to the new complex in Bandra to reduce wear and tear on the heritage building.
"This (current High Court) building is 150 years old. It has not only archaeological value but also has to be preserved. There is so much footfall, so it should be preserved as is. Let us maintain the heritage," the Court emphasized.
The court acknowledged that the new complex's construction was a vital matter and called for a timely decision by the HPC. The State government was also encouraged to expedite the process of changing the land's usage from 'residential' to 'commercial.'
The Bombay High Court expressed its commitment to overseeing the preservation of the heritage building while facilitating the establishment of the new complex. The court will reconvene on August 30 to further discuss the matter.
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