Gaya District Court Relocation Plan Accelerates Amid Safety Concerns
In Gaya, Bihar, officials are actively pursuing the relocation of the district court to a new 25-acre site, with the plan gaining significant momentum in recent weeks. The primary candidate under consideration is a plot located off National Highway-22, situated to the south of Magadh University. This move is driven by urgent safety concerns and the need for modern judicial infrastructure.
Century-Old Building Deemed Unsafe and Inadequate
The existing district court premises, nestled in a densely populated area, have raised serious alarms within judicial circles due to their age-related vulnerabilities. The structure is over 100 years old and is widely regarded as unsafe, with specific courtrooms identified as dangerously prone to collapse. In response, the Patna High Court recently took suo motu cognizance of the deteriorating condition and ordered the immediate shifting of several courtrooms to the nearby Prabhavati Hospital premises as a temporary safety measure.
Beyond safety, the old building suffers from severe space constraints. With more than 1,200 registered lawyers, over 50 judicial officers—including a dozen at the district judge rank—and increasing footfall from litigants, the premises have become critically overcrowded. The antiquated design also results in inefficient space utilization, failing to meet the growing demands of litigation and judicial administration.
Search for a 25-Acre Eco-Friendly Site Underway
District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar confirmed that multiple plots are being evaluated for the relocation, though a final decision has not yet been reached. "Twenty-five acres of land is required for the purpose," stated the DM, emphasizing the scale of the project. He dismissed the idea of using the now-defunct Jail Press in the city's south-western part, citing feasibility issues.
The relocation aims to establish an eco-friendly system that includes ample space for judicial work, offices, and accommodations for lawyers and litigants. This modern approach seeks to enhance operational efficiency and accessibility for all stakeholders.
Stakeholder Involvement and Future Prospects
Syed Qaiser Sharfuddin, President of the Gaya Bar Association, highlighted that the association is actively involved in the site selection process, collaborating with the district judge and district magistrate. "Practising lawyers would prefer a location that is not far away and is convenient for all stakeholders, particularly lawyers and litigants," he remarked, acknowledging that the current building has exhausted its lifespan.
As the search continues, the relocation plan represents a crucial step toward ensuring judicial safety and efficiency in Gaya, addressing long-standing infrastructural deficiencies while adapting to the evolving needs of the legal community.
