A portion of the historic Old High Court building in Civil Lines collapsed on Monday afternoon. The incident raised questions over its maintenance and conservation. The building had been handed over by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the Public Works Department (PWD) on September 30, 2026. Workers at the site escaped injury as they were having lunch elsewhere when the structure collapsed. Four to five workers could have been buried under the debris had they been present at the spot. The building’s poor condition is already a matter before the High Court, which initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

 

The next hearing is scheduled after Diwali. Advocate Ashutosh Dharmadhikari is assisting the court as amicus curiae, while Advocate Deepak Thakre represents the government. The ASI had inspected the site several times in October. On October 23, it also wrote to the PWD's Chief Engineer in Nagpur, pointing out that the conservation work was not being carried out according to approved estimates and the National Conservation Policy, 2014. An ASI official also visited the site on October 27 and held discussions with PWD officials. Despite these visits, the rear portion collapsed, raising concerns over the inspection and conservation work. The PWD had informed the High Court that the ASI’s sub-circle office and storeroom would be shifted to the remaining portion of the building after the conservation work was completed.