Bombay HC seeks State affidavit over land for its new building

MUMBAI: Expressing concerns over delay in handing over of vacant possession of nearly 30-acre land allotted in Bandra (East) for the construction of a new HC complex, Bombay high court on Monday asked the State government to file an affidavit detailing steps taken so far in that regard.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and comprising Justice Arif Doctor also remarked about the condition of part of present HC building leading to shortage of space, poor condition of stairs, and the 'perils' these cause to staff and advocates.
The HC was hearing a PIL filed by lawyer Ahmed Abdi that claimed the government's non-compliance in a 2018 HC order on land allotment
The Court also sought to know what plans the State had to relocate employees residing on the proposed land in the government colony and to provide them suitable alternate accommodation.
After the petitioner claimed that nothing was happening on the ground, the bench sought the state's affidavit on steps taken by it and posted further hearing to March 28.