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Synopsis

The Maharashtra government recently informed the Bombay High Court that it will allocate 30.16 acres of land in Bandra for the construction of a new high court building.

Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf told the court that a formal government resolution (GR) on the matter would be issued soon and that a memorandum had already been signed with the public works department (PWD).

The land, which is currently reserved for government housing, will require some time for the reservation to be changed to that of a commercial complex. Once that is accomplished, the State will issue the GR.

Saraf further stated that the land would be located in Bandra East and would have central tribunals, chambers for lawyers (8.9 acres), as well as the high court building (21 acres), which would also house judges' quarters. Part of the land will be used for the commercial development of lawyers' chambers, and the government will earn revenue from the same.

The court was hearing a plea filed by one Ahmed Abdi seeking action against State government authorities for non-compliance with a 2019 high court order on the land allotment. Abdi had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition in 2012 seeking a new building for the high court on a priority basis.

The high court had directed the State government to offer a large and convenient plot of land for the construction of a new complex for the high court in January 2019.

However, since the order, the State government has not taken any steps toward the same. Abdi claimed that the State was in contempt of the high court's order.

During the March 9 hearing, the court had asked the State to take a decision on the land allotment soon. The contempt petition was dismissed by the court after the government's announcement, but Abdi was granted permission to file a fresh plea if the State failes to take further action.

Case Title: Ahmad Abdi vs State of Maharashtra