"Take it seriously": Bombay High Court to State on new court complex at Bandra

The Bombay High Court on Thursday urged the Maharashtra government to take the issue of construction of the new High Court complex "a little more seriously" [Ahmad Abdi v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.]. .The remark came in response to the request by the additional government pleader Abhay Patki seeking time to file a detailed affidavit with respect to the work done by the State towards the construction of the new complex in Mumbai's Bandra. The Court had earlier directed the State to file an affidavit listing all steps taken by it towards the construction of the new complex.However, when the matter came up for hearing today, the government sought more time to file this affidavit..A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Arif Doctor was miffed. "We have been requesting and requesting. Don’t compel us to pass drastic orders. You are under contempt and you understand this. Why not file a simple affidavit. You could not state what you have done so far?" the court queried. .It reiterated the constraints it was facing in the present heritage structure due to lack of space."Is this a matter that is to be taken so lightly? Why cannot the govt understand the constraints the high court is facing on a daily basis? Why can’t you understand such simple things? Even for a simple oath taking ceremony there are so many issues because of space constraints? Please take this matter a little more seriously," the Court said..It also expressed displeasure at the request for more time to bring on record information about what is planned and what has been done so far."From where do you have to dig out this information? Some archives? Is it such information that will take 4 weeks. You are required to file a simple affidavit to state that what has been done. For change of records, this is done. For vacating this has been done. It is all just required to be stated on an affidavit," the court lamented. .The Court was hearing a plea concerning the allotment of land to construct a new court complex.In January 2019, the High Court had directed the State government to take a decision on offering a large and convenient plot of land for the construction of a new High Court complex.In May 2023, the Maharashtra government asked the High Court administration to take advance possession of certain land in Bandra East for this purpose.The Court however was informed on March 11 this year that the land was not vacant yet and contained staff quarters for government officials, some of whom even worked in the High Court..The Court todaty reiterated its order to place on record the steps taken bvy the State.The matter will be heard next in May.