Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Central Secretariat Library Relocation

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of concerns over relocating the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library from Shastri Bhawan during the Central Vista redevelopment.

Background and legal issue

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of concerns over relocating the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library from Shastri Bhawan during the Central Vista redevelopment. The library holds more than 8.5 lakh volumes, including rare books, official records and government publications. A Bench of Justices P.V. Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva is scheduled to hear the matter on October 5. The Union Housing Ministry has said space has been earmarked under the redevelopment plan, while earlier correspondence raised concerns about inadequate accommodation. The Court has not yet decided the merits; the proceedings will examine preservation and suitable relocation.

Legal significance

The legal effect is confined to the judgment, order or procedural development reported here. Allegations and submissions are not treated as established facts unless expressly decided.

What follows

The parties, authorities or court will proceed according to the operative position described above.