The Meghalaya High Court has put a temporary halt on the proposed demolition of Bidhan Bhavan, also known as Roy Villa, a heritage structure that once served as the summer retreat of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal.
A Division Bench of Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew and Justice Biswadeep Bhattacharjee on Thursday directed that the existing condition of the property be maintained until further orders. The court also ordered that the matter be placed before the regular PIL bench headed by the Chief Justice.
The proceedings stem from a Public Interest Litigation that was registered earlier this month, after a letter addressed to Chief Justice Soumen Sen highlighted the villa’s historical and architectural significance. Bidhan Bhavan, constructed prior to 1923, currently functions as a state Circuit House.
During the hearing, the state government submitted a short affidavit. The Advocate General informed the court that a comprehensive affidavit would follow, after examining the records related to the property’s history and its conversion into a Circuit House.
Amicus Curiae S Chakrawarty told the Bench that he would file his response after reviewing the state’s detailed affidavit once it is placed on record.
The case will now be taken up by the regular PIL bench, with status quo to continue in the meantime.
