Design of New Bombay High Court Building ‘Undemocratic and Colonial,’ Says Former Justice Gautam Patel

Mumbai: The controversy over the design of the new Bombay High Court building continues to intensify. Days after former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai criticised the extravagant architectural approach during the bhoomi pujan ceremony at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel has now termed the design “undemocratic” and “colonial.”

The new High Court complex, designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor, is set to be constructed on a 30-acre plot in BKC at an estimated cost of ₹3,750 crore. However, the final design has sparked strong objections from architects and legal experts alike.

‘A Court Is Not a Seven-Star Hotel’
During the foundation ceremony, then CJI Gavai had expressed displeasure, urging authorities to build “a temple of justice, not a seven-star hotel.” His comments reflected concern that the design prioritises grandeur over functionality.

Echoing similar sentiments, Justice Gautam Patel, speaking at an exhibition hosted by the Mumbai Architects Collective, criticised the design for its colonial undertones, drawing parallels with structures associated with the British East India Company.

‘Pray That This Design Never Gets Built’
Justice Patel argued that the proposed building fails to meet the needs of litigants and lawyers. He said the layout appears to be designed for the convenience of judges alone, ignoring modern judicial principles that promote equal accessibility.

Highlighting global examples, he noted that courts like the UK Supreme Court are designed at the same level as litigants, symbolising equality. “There are inadequate waiting areas, poor spaces for client-lawyer interactions, and unnecessary separation between legal professionals,” he said.

In strong criticism, Patel remarked, “The design seems intended to force litigants to stand before the court with folded hands. This is a design for which one must sincerely pray that it never gets built.”

Colonial Echoes in Modern Times
Architecture professor Muntazir Dalvi also criticised the design, comparing it to Kolkata’s Governor House—one of the earliest colonial architectural impositions in India by the East India Company. Dalvi noted that the selected design unnecessarily revives outdated colonial aesthetics despite the area not being a heritage zone.

He added, “Modern buildings need not imitate the revivalist architecture of the past. We can create new structures that reflect contemporary values without abandoning quality.”

As the debate deepens, architects and legal experts continue to urge authorities to reconsider the design and focus on a structure that embodies accessibility, transparency, and democratic ethos—core principles of the Indian judiciary.