The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the proposed relocation of the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library (CSL) in Delhi, which houses more than 8.5 lakh books, amid reports that no room has been allocated for it in the new Central Vista Plan

A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva is scheduled to hear the matter on Monday (October 5). 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.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) said that space for the Central Secretariat Library has been earmarked under the Kartavya Path redevelopment plan.

"Contrary to a few reports, it is clarified that space for the Central Secretariat Library has been provided for in the Kartavya Path redevelopment plan. The necessary process for construction of the library is underway," the Ministry said in a post on X.

Case : In Re: 135-Yr-Old Library 8.5 Lakh Books– And No Room In The New Central Vista Plan | SMW(C) No. 21/2026