The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Union Government to file an affidavit explaining the space allotted under the new Central Vista Plan for the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library (CSL) in Delhi, housing about 8.5 lakh books, which is proposed to be relocated.

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva was hearing the suo motu case registered over reports that the Central Vista Plan has no space allocated for the CSL.

The bench asked the Centre to file a detailed affidavit with full details of the area which would be allotted for the library. The affidavit should also indicate whether the space would be adequate to store not just the books presently in the CSL in Shastri Bhavan, but also the 2 lakh books which are lying in cartons in RK Puram.

At the outset of the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati stated that the Central Vista Plan has a space allocated for the library.

Justice Kumar then observed, "If we go by the news report, this library dates back to 1891. Very well to say that we should cut down to paper but that doesn't mean you don't take care of the valuable papers. You are allotting only 2 rooms in the Kartavya Bhavan, that's it?"

ASG Bhati stated that the Central Vista Director was present in the Court, who can explain the details. Justice Kumar, however, said that an affidavit would be necessary. "You are leaving out 2 lac books in RK Puram?" Justice Kumar asked.

Issuing notice to the Union, the Court ordered :

"File a detailed affidavit with full details of the area which would be allotted for this library along with actual layout plans. It shall also be indicated whether this space will be adequate to house not just the books presently in Shastri Bhavan but also the books which are lying in cartons."

The Court also appointed Senior Advocate Haripriya Padmanabhan as amicus curiae in the matter.

The suo motu case titled "In Re: 135-Yr-Old Library 8.5 Lakh Books– And No Room In The New Central Vista Plan" was registered on October 3.

The suo motu action follows a report published by The Indian Express on September 29 titled "135-yr-old library, 8.5 lakh books – and no room in the new Central Vista plan", which stated that the library, currently housed in Shastri Bhawan, may face relocation in view of the proposed demolition of the building as part of the Central Vista redevelopment plan. Concerns have been raised over the availability of suitable accommodation for the library and the preservation of its extensive collection.