The Maharashtra government has committed to transferring the remaining 2.15 acres of land required for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra by April 30, as per the details provided to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The state advocate general, Birendra Saraf, confirmed that of the scheduled 4.09 acres due in the next tranche, 1.94 acres have already been allotted.
This commitment was made during a hearing presided over by Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih. The bench was informed that the delayed portion of the land currently houses slum dwellings. However, most residents have agreed to relocate, allowing demolition efforts to commence.
The court was apprised of over 20 related petitions pending before the Bombay High Court. To expedite the resolution, the Supreme Court has requested the chief justice of the Bombay High Court to consolidate these matters under a single bench.
Additionally, the Supreme Court directed that no other court, except the high court, should entertain proceedings concerning the land allocated for the high court’s construction. Any existing cases or tribunals elsewhere should be transferred to the high court.
The state government’s phased handover of the total 30.16 acres designated for the Bombay High Court’s new complex was first announced in October 2024, with a ground-breaking ceremony already held on September 23, 2024. This new complex aims to address the growing needs for space and modern facilities while respecting the heritage of the existing court building in Flora Fountain, which has been in use since November 1878.
The new high court complex will feature advanced courtrooms, offices for judges and registry staff, and additional facilities like an arbitration and mediation centre, an auditorium, and a library. These enhancements are designed to support the high court’s jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, and the union territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, ensuring a modern infrastructure that matches the judicial needs of the region.
