Overview

• A division bench of Justices Mahesh S Sonak and Jitendra S Jain issued the July 10 order requiring MMRCL to reconstruct the limestone finial on its own expense.
• Reconstruction must be completed within eight months after the institute secures separate approvals from heritage bodies and civic authorities, with trustees tasked with providing designs and cooperation.
• The judgment stressed that urban infrastructure projects must respect preservation after noting that expert-committee recommendations on vibration monitoring and protective measures were implemented before tunnelling work resumed.
• MMRCL agreed to the restoration without admitting liability and highlighted that the Metro tunnel alignment runs 4–5 metres horizontally from the building and about 25 metres below ground level.
• The High Court retained jurisdiction over any future claims of damage once Metro Line III becomes operational, allowing the Petit Institute to seek remedies if further harm occurs.