Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh has written a letter to Chief Justice of India BR Gavai requesting him to shift the National Judicial Museum and Archives from its current location to an additional building within the Supreme Court Complex. He requested that the current museum space, formerly called the Judges' Library, be allotted for the use of Bar members.
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Vikas Singh said in the letter, "We respectfully urge the Court to consider shifting the National Judicial Museum and Archives to the additional building of the Supreme Court, so that existing space can be reused to create soundproof rooms and chambers for members of the Bar."
Vikas Singh raised concerns over the museum being located in a high-security zone, making it largely inaccessible to the general public. He also criticised the lack of consultation with the Bar before finalising the location.
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"The Supreme Court, built and maintained out of public money, is meant to serve all its stakeholders, including the legal fraternity," Vikas Singh asserted.
The SCBA president proposed two key measures:
- Downgrade the security classification of the additional building area within the Appu Ghar complex to match that of the main complex chambers.
- Relocate the museum and archives to unused spaces in this additional building.
Vikas Singh reminded the CJI that the land used by the Supreme Court was initially part of Appu Ghar and was re-allocated for lawyers' chambers following a Delhi High Court order initiated by the SCBA. However, only a small portion of the area has been used for that purpose.
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He highlighted the arbitrary high security label on the additional building area, which restricts access and renders the facilities under-utilised. While the auditorium in the building is used for SCBA functions, other facilities such as meeting rooms and common areas remain inaccessible.
"A primary reason for the limited use of these facilities by bar members is the arbitrary high security status imposed on the additional building complex," Vikas Singh said.
He also questioned the Registry's rationale for the high security classification based on underground connecting tunnels.
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"With due respect, such an argument lacks merit. The security concerns can be effectively addressed by implementing robust access control measures at the entry points of the tunnel," he said.
Vikas Singh pointed out that the current security arrangements have prevented members of the bar from attending major events, including swearing-in and farewell ceremonies, due to long queues and limited access.
"The bar is an integral part of this august institution, and its needs and expectations are both legitimate and essential for the effective functioning of the judiciary," he stressed.
The SCBA urged the Court to consider the transfer during the ongoing vacations to provide timely relief to lawyers and litigants.
"Addressing the issue…will provide immediate relief to lawyers and litigants, and substantially enhance public confidence in the Supreme Court as an institution built on public resources and dedicated to serving all stakeholders," the letter concluded.
The request comes after previous differences between the SCBA and the Supreme Court administration. On October 24, 2024, the SCBA had passed a resolution against the unilateral changes to the emblem of the court and the Lady Justice statue, demanding the use of the museum space for the BAR library and lounge. The association had also boycotted the inauguration of the Supreme Court Museum on November 7, 2024.
Further, glass panels for centralised air conditioning were installed during the tenure of CJI DY Chandrachud last year. These panels reportedly narrowed the corridors, but were later removed during the tenure of CJI Gavai. The Supreme Court also restored its traditional logo on the official website and cause list.
