Kerala to Establish Judicial City in Kalamasery; New High Court Building to Accommodate 60 Courts

KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and High Court Chief Justice Ashish Jitend Desai have given their nod to the establishment of a judicial city in Kalamasery, including a new High Court building that will house 60 courts. The decision was announced after a meeting held in Kochi, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that further steps for the development of the Judicial City in Kalamasery have been formulated.

As part of the next steps, a site inspection will be conducted on February 17, with the presence of High Court judges and state ministers. The meeting was attended by Law Minister P. Rajeev, Revenue Minister K. Rajan, High Court Judges A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, A. Muhammad Mushtaq, Bechu Kurian Thomas, and other senior officials.

The proposed Judicial City in Kalamasery will cover 27 acres, and if necessary, additional land will be identified. In addition to the High Court, plans include the construction of modern institutions and facilities such as the Judicial Academy and Mediation Center. The new High Court building aims to offer international-level infrastructure, spanning 28 lakh square feet, accommodating future needs with a long-term perspective.

Facilities within the proposed High Court building will include judges’ offices, the Advocate General’s office, staff quarters, advocates’ chambers, and parking facilities. The initiative stems from the space constraints faced by the existing High Court building, prompting the need for a new structure. The decision to proceed with the establishment of a new building was made during the annual meeting of the Chief Minister and Chief Justice of the High Court on November 9 in Thiruvananthapuram.

The choice of Kalamasery was based on its accessibility, transportation facilities, and geographical significance, making it the most suitable location for a judicial city catering to all sections of the population. The move is expected to address the limitations faced in acquiring adjacent land to the existing High Court building and align with environmental considerations, including the pending notification of the Union Environment Ministry regarding the eco-sensitive zone.