May collapse any moment: Rajasthan HC initiates suo motu PIL over unsafe dome of its own building

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday initiated suo motu proceedings over the structural safety of its Jodhpur building.

A Division Bench of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Praveer Bhatnagar noted that its 21-metre-high central dome was at risk of imminent collapse, based on an assessment by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.

The Court observed that the dome was an ever-present threat posing a grave threat to human life.

"This Court is gravely concerned with a matter of public importance and institutional significance, namely the structural condition of the building of the Rajasthan High Court, principal seat, including the central dome (approx. at a height of 21 metres) built and existing therein, which, according to the expert opinion of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, is in a state of imminent collapse and may fall at any moment, thereby exposing the precious lives of all the stakeholders within the premises to grave and irreversible danger and damage," noted the Court.

The Court noted that the building, which was inaugurated in 2019, had developed several structural defects within a few years of being completed.

"Within a span of few years only, the said building including its central dome, has been found to be in an extreme deteriorating condition," said the Court.

Further, the Court recorded several incidents of roofs, ceilings and plaster falling across the building since 2023. These included parts of the roof falling in multiple courtrooms and chambers, a portion of the dome roof collapsing in April 2023 and plaster falling from the dome in April 2025.

It also flagged persistent water seepage, defective sanitary and drainage systems, corrosion of reinforcement steel, cracks in structural elements and inadequate fire-safety arrangements.

An IIT Jodhpur committee had earlier found heavy corrosion in steel reinforcement and recommended a comprehensive structural audit of the building. A subsequent audit estimated the cost of structural repairs and retrofitting at around ₹57.65 crore.

The Court held that the repeated incidents pointed to a broader failure in the maintenance and monitoring of the building.

The Court expressed particular concern over the condition of the dome.

"The Court records with deep anguish and stern disapproval of the condition of the said dome, occupying a central and prominent position in the building, which has been opined by experts of IIT Bombay to be structurally compromised to such an extent that its failure is no longer a remote contingency but an imminent and ever-present threat. The consequences of such a catastrophe would be catastrophic, involving potential loss of precious human lives and irreparable damage to the dignity and functioning of this constitutional Court," the order noted.

An interim IIT Bombay assessment found active corrosion in several structural members and said around 40% of the inspected areas were vulnerable to concrete spalling. It identified reinforcement corrosion, carbonation and chloride contamination as factors contributing to the progressive deterioration.

IIT Bombay recommended cordoning off the circular open portion of the Dome. It also asked to restrict cleaning to dry mopping and immediately addressing seepage and plumbing leakages.

The Court noted that the dome area had since been cordoned off.

The Court directed the authorities to establish round-the-clock structural monitoring of the dome and other critical structural elements. It also ordered the preparation of a safety and evacuation protocol within 48 hours and mock drills within 72 hours.

A 24×7 control room is also to be established within the High Court premises.

The State, Central government and other respondents were asked to explain the building's structural condition. The Court directed them to file affidavits explaining the reasons for the continuing defects and the responsibilities of the agencies and contractors involved.

They have also been directed to submit a time-bound plan for the permanent strengthening, reconstruction or replacement of the Dome.

Additionally, senior officials, including the Rajasthan Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries of the Finance and Public Works departments, RSRDC Managing Director and Rajasthan DGP, along with nominees of IIT Bombay and IIT Jodhpur, have been directed to personally appear before the Court.

The matter will be heard again on August 24.

Additional Advocate General Rajesh Panwar and advocate Ayush Gehlot accepted notice on behalf of the State government, Public Works Department, Law Department and RSRDC.

Additional Advocate General Mahaveer Bishnoi appeared for the Finance Department.

Deputy Solicitor General Shyam Sunder Paliwal represented the Union government.

Additional Advocate General BL Bhati appeared on behalf of the Rajasthan Director General of Police.

Senior Advocate Sachin Acharya and advocate Chayan Bothra appeared for the Registrar General of the High Court.

The Court also constituted a team of lawyers to assist it as Amicus Curiae in the matter.

The team consists of Senior Advocates Ravi Bhansali, GR Punia, Dhirendra Singh, Jagmal Singh Choudhary, Manish Shishodia, Vikas Balia and Rajesh Joshi.

It also said that the Presidents and General Secretaries of the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers' Association and Rajasthan High Court Advocates' Association, Jodhpur, would be ex officio members of the team.

[Read Order]