Supreme court paves way for demolition at Bhadra - Ahmedabad

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging the Gujarat high court order giving green signal for demolition of the old court building at Bhadra. The apex court order dismissing the petition has now paved the way for the demolition of the old court building.

The old court building forms a part of Mughal-era monument Azam Khan sarai. Its demolition will make way for a multistoreyed court building in the heart of the city. Counsel Hemantika Wahi appeared for the state in the SC.

The high court had in April given green signal for the demolition of the old court building at Bhadra. Rejecting a PIL filed by advocate I M Khan, the HC had permitted demolition outside the protected monument of Bhadra fort.

The HC rejected the PIL after the Centre said that the structure sought to be protected by the petitioner was not a listed monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Moreover, it was also submitted that the proposed structure is outside the restricted 100-metre radius of the nearest listed monument.

The authorities had also made it clear that the main structure of Azam Khan sarai would not be disturbed by the proposed construction.

Khan then challenged the high court order in the SC. On Tuesday, after a hearing the matter, the SC dismissed the petition.