133-year-old Madras Law College building restored and inaugurated as Additional Court Halls at Madras HC

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 26 (ANI): The 133-year-old historic building that once housed the Dr Ambedkar Government Law College within the Madras High Court campus has been restored and reopened on Sunday as additional court halls for the High Court. The refurbished heritage structure was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant and Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The Dr Ambedkar Law College, which functioned within the High Court premises for decades, had been shifted and placed under the supervision of the court. Due to increasing space constraints and the growing need for additional courtrooms, the decision was taken to repurpose the old law college building for judicial use.
The renovation, carried out at a cost of Rs 23 crore, was completed while preserving the building's historic Indo-Saracenic architectural character. The new court halls will primarily handle criminal cases under the Madras High Court's jurisdiction.
The inauguration ceremony, held within the High Court campus, was attended by Supreme Court Judges Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R. Mahadevan, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Justice M M Srivastava, Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Regupathy, High Court Judges Justices R Suresh Kumar and M S Ramesh, and several other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Law Minister Regupathy said the 130-year-old institution, named after Dr B R Ambedkar, had produced many eminent legal experts for the nation. He added that the renovation was undertaken on the direction of the Chief Minister, ensuring the heritage and cultural value of the building were preserved. The new facilities, he said, would meet the growing demands of the judiciary, including court expansion, video conferencing, and rapid justice delivery.
Chief Justice Srivastava remarked that many who once studied in the same campus as law students are now serving as judges and lawyers in the High Court. "It is a rare privilege to serve justice in the very place where one once learned the law," he said, adding that the expanded facilities will enable quicker delivery of justice while continuing the institution's long-standing legacy.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal described the inauguration as a significant step toward strengthening the judiciary. "This initiative connects tradition with modern justice needs and stands as a model for the entire nation," he said.
The minister highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to enhancing judicial infrastructure across the country with cooperation from state governments and high courts.
Supreme Court Judge R. Mahadevan, addressing the gathering in Tamil, said, "This building has witnessed history -- from serving as a law college to becoming part of the High Court. May it continue to produce great arguments and landmark judgments."
The Madras High Court, one of the oldest in India, now adds another chapter to its rich heritage with the revival of this iconic building, blending history with modern judicial purpose. (ANI)