The Maharashtra government informed the Supreme Court on Monday that it plans to transfer 4.39 acres of land to the Bombay High Court for the construction of a new building, with the transfer expected to be completed by September 10.

The Supreme Court, acting under its suo motu jurisdiction, was addressing a case initiated in response to a letter petition dated April 29 from Nitin Thakker, President of the Bombay Bar Association, and other bar leaders. The petition highlighted the pressing requirement for accommodation for the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, given that its current building is 150 years old.

The case was titled 'Heritage Building of the Bombay High Court and allotment of additional lands for the High Court'. The bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices B R Gavai and J B Pardiwala was informed that the remaining 30.46 acres of land would also be transferred to the High Court within a specified timeframe.

"On July 8, 2024, an internal meeting was convened by Chief Justice of High Court with the Judges Committee monitoring the construction of the new premises. On July 9, 2024, another meeting was held in which all stakeholders including government officials participated.

"We have been informed that by September 10, 2024, a contiguous area of 4.39 acre in Bandra-Kurla complex will be handed over to high court by state government. The state has indicated timeline to handover the balance area in phases which measures 30.16 acres to the high court as well," the bench said.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court noted that the Maharashtra government has shortlisted eight architects to finalize the design planning. It directed that a meeting be arranged with these architects to brief them about the high court's requirements, following which they will present their designs to the state government.

At the outset of the hearing, Maharashtra Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf assured the apex court that the state government would transfer vacant possession of 4.39 acres of land at Bandra Kurla to the high court by September 10.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for August 22, 2024.

Previously, the court was informed that the high court had approved the Maharashtra government's proposal for land in Bandra East, Mumbai. However, part of the land was occupied by government housing colonies.