HC asks Maha to take decision on proposal for its building

The Bombay High Court today directed the Maharashtra government to take a decision by December 11 on a proposal sent by its administration seeking allotment of 25 acres of land in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) for setting up a high court building.
The high court administration had on October 14 sent a proposal to the state government seeking 25 acres of land in BKC and another 25 acres in nearby area.
Advocate Sanjay Udeshi, appearing for the administration, told the court that in a meeting held recently it has been decided to seek a total of 50 acres of land for the high court in the suburbs.

A division bench of justices A S Oka and V L Achiliya today asked the government to consider the proposal and take a decision by December 11.
The court was hearing of a PIL filed by advocate Ahmed Abdi seeking directions to government to have a new high court building due to paucity of space in the present Grade I heritage structure at Fort area in South Mumbai.
The historic structure, construction of which was initiated in 1871, was completed in 1878.
The over 150-year-old Bombay High Court in Fort was constructed essentially to meet the requirements of 15 judges.

However, over the last 135 years, the strength of judges has increased to 75 in 2007. It is soon set to reach a figure of 94.