Jaipur, Aug 11 (IANS) The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of serious structural safety concerns surrounding its principal seat building in Jodhpur, particularly the approximately 21-metre-high central dome.
A division bench comprising Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Praveer Bhatnagar has directed that the matter be registered as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), following expert findings that highlighted structural deficiencies in the building and a potential risk of sudden concrete collapse.
The Court has emphasised that the safety of judges, advocates, court staff, and members of the public within the High Court premises cannot be compromised.
The structural work on the High Court building was completed by the end of 2013, while the building was handed over in December 2019. It was subsequently inaugurated in the presence of senior constitutional dignitaries.
However, several incidents involving the collapse of ceilings, plaster, and false ceilings have been reported in different sections of the building in recent years. According to the Court, incidents have occurred since 2023 in Courtrooms 2, 9 and 16, as well as Chamber 16.
On February 20, 2023, a false ceiling collapsed in Courtroom 14. On April 29, 2023, a portion of the dome also fell. Further incidents involving ceilings, plaster, and false ceilings were reported in the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal Section, Bill Section, an area near the lift, Courtroom 19 and other parts of the premises. In November 2025, a false ceiling reportedly collapsed in the corridor leading to the Registrar General’s office.
The Court has also taken note of persistent seepage, water ingress, drainage defects and deficiencies in sanitary pipe fittings. Experts have raised concerns about the condition of the concrete and steel reinforcement. Continued exposure to moisture and water could accelerate corrosion of the reinforcement, potentially weakening the concrete and affecting structural elements of the building.
An expert committee from IIT Jodhpur inspected portions of the building in 2023 and identified several technical deficiencies, including severe rusting in the concrete cover of slabs, corrosion of steel reinforcement and cracks in the concrete. The inspection also highlighted deficiencies in the roof waterproofing system and recommended a comprehensive structural audit.
A subsequent audit identified concerns relating to concrete quality, carbonation and other technical issues.
Water samples were also found to contain chloride levels above permissible limits. In view of the identified deficiencies, the Rajasthan State Road Development and Construction Corporation (RSRDC) prepared an estimate for repair and retrofitting work based on the available technical reports.
The estimated cost was approximately Rs 57.65 crore. The proposed work included repairs to structural elements such as beams, columns and slabs, along with measures to address seepage, deteriorating walls and other technical deficiencies.
A recent structural audit by IIT Bombay has further raised concerns about the condition of the building. The report identified rebar corrosion, carbonation and the impact of chlorides in certain sections as major factors contributing to structural deterioration.
Approximately 40 per cent of the inspected areas were reportedly found vulnerable to concrete spalling. The report cautioned that increased moisture and seepage could accelerate corrosion and weaken sections of concrete, potentially resulting in sudden collapse.
The IIT Bombay findings have emphasised the need for immediate engineering intervention. Following the High Court’s directions, the circular open area beneath the central dome has been barricaded and movement in the affected areas has been restricted as a precautionary measure.
The RSRDC Project Director has been directed to prepare a retrofitting plan and immediately address seepage and plumbing leaks.
The Court’s intervention comes amid growing concerns over the structural condition of the building and underscores the urgency of undertaking necessary remedial measures to safeguard everyone using the High Court premises.
–IANS
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