Today, the Supreme Court set a new deadline of August 31 for the Maharashtra Government to transfer the land in the Bandra Kurla Complex designated for the new Bombay High Court building. This decision comes in light of the rapidly deteriorating condition of the 150-year-old existing structure.

The Court took up the matter suo moto following numerous letter petitions from various Bar Associations addressing the issue of land allotment for the new High Court building.

On May 17, the Supreme Court instructed the Maharashtra Government to release the initial tranche of land in Bandra. The Court clarified that the Government should not delay until December 2024 to allocate the entire 9.64 acres for the High Court, out of the total 30.16 acres designated.

On July 15, the Maharashtra Government informed the Supreme Court that a parcel of 4.39 acres in Bandra would be vacated and handed over to the Bombay High Court by September 10 for the new building.

A special Bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, with Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala, was informed today by Maharashtra Advocate General Birendra Saraf that significant progress has been made towards handing over the 4.39 acres of land by the September 10 deadline.

During the hearings, the CJI flagged certain concerns. He said: "The Registrar of the High Court has indicated that the Government should issue two separate Government Resolutions for handing over the possession of entire land at the Bandra Kurla Complex and declaring the project as Project of Vital Importance."

Saraf reported that efforts to declare the project of vital importance have already begun.

In response, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized that the Maharashtra Government must take the necessary actions. The Court directed the government to issue fresh Government Resolutions promptly, specifying that the Government Resolution for the project's payment should be issued by September 7.

The Court also heard from Senior Advocate Nitin Thakker, President of the Bombay Bar Association, who requested that the project be declared a matter of national importance to expedite the process. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured that the Union Government would provide priority cooperation, suggesting that such a declaration might not be necessary. Regarding alternative premises for the High Court, the Court acknowledged SG Mehta's commitment to address the issue of transferring the Bank of India (BOI) premises with the Chairman.

Case Details : IN RE: HERITAGE BUILDING OF THE BOMBAY HIGH COURT AND ALLOTMENT OF ADDITIONAL LANDS FOR THE HIGH COURT