Mumbai: The Maharashtra government informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it will transfer the next tranche of 5.25 acres of land by January 31 for the construction of the Bombay High Court's new building complex in Bandra.
A bench headed by Justice BR Gavai was told that the state government had already handed over 4.39 acres of land in the first tranche in October 2024, with the second tranche of 5.25 acres initially scheduled for transfer by the end of December 2024.
Maharashtra's advocate general Birendra Saraf told the bench that effective steps have been taken for handing over the 5.25 acres of land and encroachments have been removed.
“All encroachments have been removed. We are seeking time till January 31 and this land, which was due to be handed over by December 31, will be handed over,” Saraf told the bench, which also comprised Justices Augustine George Masih and K Vinod Chandran.
The advocate general said steps have also been taken for the appointment of a project management consultant. He said the chief justice of the Bombay High Court has conveyed a meeting on Thursday evening for considering and reviewing the progress of the project.
The bench noted in its order that the state has placed on record a chart that depicted the progress of handing over the land in a phased manner.
It also noted that the advocate general has informed the apex court that the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the building was done on September 23, 2024.
“We appreciate the proactive role played by the state in ensuring that the construction of the building starts at the earliest...,” the bench said.
One of the advocates appearing in the matter referred to the issue relating to the Air India building in south Mumbai where the mediation centre of the Bombay High Court is proposed to be shifted.
The Bombay High Court, founded on August 16, 1862, is currently located in a majestic building near Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk) that the court has occupied since November 1878. Keeping in mind the safety concerns and the need for more space, a new high court complex is proposed at Bandra.
