Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo Motu Notice Of Structural Defects In Own Building After IIT Bombay Warns Central Dome May Collapse Any Time

The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the serious structural defects in its Principal Seat building at Jodhpur, including the Central Dome, after an ongoing structural audit by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay indicated that the Dome is at risk of imminent collapse.A Division Bench of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Praveer Bhatnagar noted that, according to the expert opinion of IIT Bombay, the Central Dome, situated at a height of approximately 21 metres, is in a state of imminent collapse and “may fall at any moment”, exposing persons within the premises to grave and irreversible danger.The Court accordingly registered the matter as a suo motu PIL and directed several immediate safety measures, including preparation and circulation of a detailed safety and evacuation protocol to all stakeholders within 48 hours, followed by mock drills within 72 hours.It also directed establishment of a dedicated 24×7 control room within the High Court premises under the direct supervision of the Registrar General for continuous monitoring and immediate response.The Court expressed “deep anguish and stern disapproval” over the condition of the Central Dome, observing that its failure was “no longer a remote contingency but an imminent and ever-present threat.” It noted that a collapse could result not only in loss of human lives but also irreparable damage to the dignity and functioning of the constitutional Court.While seeking detailed affidavits from the stakeholders, the Court warned against filing of any incomplete, evasive or delayed affidavit, designed to downplay the situation's gravity, and held that such conduct might invite adverse orders including personal accountability or initiation of appropriate proceedings. “This Court views with extreme seriousness and the sternest possible disapproval any further delay, bureaucratic inertia, inter departmental shifting of responsibility, or any attempt — however subtle — to minimize, downplay or obscure the gravity of the structural threat. The safety of human lives within the precincts of this constitutional Court is non-negotiable and absolute. Any failure to respond with the required urgency, transparency, completeness and personal accountability shall invite appropriate and stringent orders, including but not limited to directions for personal appearance, fixation of individual responsibility, and such other coercive or corrective measures as this Court may deem fit in the interests of justice, as well as institutional and public safety.”The Court also took note of the fact that the foundation of the building was laid in 2007 and after being constructed by RSRDC Limited, it was inaugurated in 2019. Hence, even before completion of 5 years from the possession of the building, many structural defects had occurred, that were result of continuing structural and maintenance failures.“…occurrence repeated incidents of roof collapse or partial falling of ceiling in Judges' Chambers, judicial sections and the Dome area itself. Pervasive seepage and water ingress throughout the entire building. Use of poor-quality sanitary pipes and fittings resulting in chronic leakage and deterioration. Wholly inadequate and deficient fire-management and fire-safety systems. Defective and poorly maintained drainage systems. Visible and progressive cracks in load-bearing and non-loadbearing elements of the structure.”It was opined that all these deficiencies cumulatively demonstrated systemic failure in upkeep and timely rectification of the highest constitutional court of the State, which was totally unacceptable. The Court highlighted the series of reports on the structure of the building, and the ongoing repair work by M/s Cembond Construction, that was appointed by RSRDC Ltd., as well as the fact that the Dome area was cordoned off.The Court also noted that RSRDC had prepared a report classifying the required repair and retrofitting works into three levels of criticality, with the estimated cost of structural repair and retrofitting pegged at ₹57.65 crore.In this background, while taking suo motu cognizance of the situation, the Court has sought filing of details affidavits from the respondents, on matters including, present status of safety audits; urgency of intervention; precise reasons for continuous deterioration on all fronts like seepage, fire-safety, drainage failures etc.; immediate interim measures taken/proposed for safeguarding life & property; and budgetary allocation & source of funds for comprehensive rectification of every element. The Court has further sought information on the exact role and accountability of RSRDC and every other agency involved, as well as names & contact details of every office of RSRDC who was and is responsible for the structural safety of the building since its construction, so that personal accountability could be fixed if required. In the interim, the following measures have been directed to be...

Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo Motu Notice Of Structural Defects In Own Building After IIT Bombay Warns Central Dome May Collapse Any Time

Nupur Agrawal

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Nupur Agrawal

Rajasthan High Court Takes Suo Motu Notice Of Structural Defects In Own Building After IIT Bombay Warns Central Dome May Collapse Any Time

Nupur Agrawal

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Nupur Agrawal

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