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GANGTOK, OCT 1: The High Court of Sikkim has directed the State Government to undertake necessary repairs and strengthening works at the Sikkim Government Law College, Burtuk, and obtain a fresh assessment of the building's long-term structural stability after completion of the works.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan issued the directions on September 29 while hearing a PIL titled - In Re—Dilapidated Condition of Infrastructure of the Sikkim Government Law College, Burtuk, Gangtok.

The directions followed reports submitted by a court-appointed Fact-Finding Committee, the State respondents and an expert agency engaged to assess the structural condition of the college building.

Expert Report Calls For Strengthening of Columns

The court referred to the preliminary condition assessment report dated September 27, 2026, prepared by TeXel Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd.

According to the portion of the report reproduced in the High Court's order, visual inspection and field assessment found “no obvious evidence of global structural instability at the time of inspection.” However, preliminary structural analysis found that several ground-floor columns were deficient in combined axial-flexural capacity and required strengthening.

The report also identified severe water ingress from the terrace/roof and external wall surfaces as the “dominant defect”, resulting in extensive dampness and localised deterioration.

Several slab areas, the report stated, required priority repair and detailed verification, while the leakage mechanism needed to be addressed comprehensively before cosmetic restoration.

The assessment further recorded that non-destructive testing showed “Good to Excellent” concrete in columns and beams, while concrete in moisture-affected slab panels was poorer.

The report recommended immediate interim precautions, further investigations, waterproofing and slab repairs, along with strengthening of the affected ground-floor columns.

Importantly, the expert agency stated that the building “should not be considered structurally adequate for unrestricted long-term use” until the ground-floor columns are strengthened, water ingress is rectified and distressed reinforced-concrete locations are repaired and inspected.

The condition of the footing and foundation was outside the scope of the preliminary assessment.

Repairs Expected To Be Completed By December 22

The High Court observed that, based on the present assessment, the expert agency was not yet in a position to certify the building's long-term structural stability.

The Additional Advocate General informed the Bench that work was already in progress on strengthening the ground-floor columns and carrying out other repairs identified in the report.

According to the submission recorded by the court, the repair work is expected to be completed by December 22, 2026.

The Bench directed the State Government to obtain another report from TeXel Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd. after completion of the ground-floor strengthening work. The fresh assessment is to examine the building's long-term structural stability and be placed before the High Court.

Fact-Finding Committee Reports Inadequate Facilities

The court also considered the detailed report submitted by the Fact-Finding Committee on September 28.

The Bench recorded that the committee had reported inadequacy of facilities available at the Law College.

The court directed the Technical Monitoring & Coordination Committee constituted by the Education Department, Government of Sikkim, on September 19, 2026, to examine the Fact-Finding Committee's report.

The order noted that certain issues identified in the report could potentially have consequences for the recognition granted to the Law College by the Bar Council of India (BCI).

Technical Committee Expanded

In view of the issues raised, the High Court directed that the Legal Remembrancer-cum-Law Secretary, Government of Sikkim; the Convener of the court-appointed Fact-Finding Committee along with one member chosen by the Convener; and one student representative nominated by the Principal should be made part of the Technical Monitoring & Coordination Committee.

The Chairperson of the committee has been directed to convene a meeting within one week of receiving the court's order.

The court further directed that the meeting should address the infrastructure facilities required under the BCI Rules. The Convener of the Fact-Finding Committee has been asked to communicate to the committee the requirements applicable to the establishment of a law college under the BCI Rules.

“Based on the outcome of such a meeting, the Government shall implement necessary steps without further delay,” the Bench directed.

The High Court also recorded its appreciation for the work undertaken by the Fact-Finding Committee in assisting the court.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on October 14, later this month.

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