Surat, October 4: A team of Gujarat High Court judges, including Justice A S Supheia, Justice Ilesh J Vora, Justice R G Mengdey, and Justice P M Raval, visited Surat on Friday to inspect a piece of government poultry farm land near the existing district court complex. The visit was part of an ongoing evaluation to determine the suitability of this site for constructing a new district court building.
The judges were accompanied by Registrar General S D Suthar from the Gujarat High Court.
Background: Years of Demand for a New Court Complex
For several years, the Surat District Bar Association (SDBA) has been urging the state government to provide additional space for the city’s district court. The association has repeatedly stated that the current court premises are cramped, outdated, and insufficient to handle the growing number of cases and visitors.
With Surat’s population and economic activity expanding rapidly, the number of litigants, lawyers, and daily court visitors has seen a sharp increase. The existing court complex, located in the heart of the city, struggles to accommodate this rising footfall, creating logistical and safety challenges.
Previous Land Allotment and Opposition
In response to these demands, the Surat District Collector had earlier allotted government land at Jiyav Budiya village, located on the outskirts of the city, for the construction of a new court complex. However, this move faced strong opposition from members of the legal fraternity.
According to the SDBA, the Jiyav Budiya site is too far from the city, making it difficult for litigants and lawyers to access. The association also raised concerns about pollution and poor infrastructure in the area, arguing that relocating the court there would inconvenience thousands of people who depend on daily access to the legal system.
Proposal to Use Poultry Farm Land
As an alternative, lawyers proposed that the existing government poultry farm land, situated close to the current district court complex, be utilized for the new building. This land, they argued, is centrally located, well-connected by roads, and already under government ownership—making it an ideal site for expansion.
The visit by the Gujarat High Court judges was aimed at assessing the technical feasibility and environmental suitability of this site. Their observations will likely influence the final decision regarding whether the land can be repurposed for the court project.
Awaiting Final Decision
Officials have not yet confirmed whether the poultry farm will be relocated or merged with another government facility if the proposal is approved. The final decision is expected after a detailed review by the High Court administration and the state government’s public works and land management departments.
The outcome of this inspection will be closely watched by both the legal community and local residents, as it may determine not only the future location of the district court but also the fate of a long-standing government poultry facility in the heart of Surat.