Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court has granted permission for the reconstruction of St. Anthony’s Lower Primary School, following the contentious demolition of its 72-year-old building during the court’s Christmas vacation.
The order, issued by Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh on February 24, 2025, comes amid ongoing legal scrutiny over whether the demolition was carried out in violation of judicial directives.
The historic school, which has been a cornerstone of Shillong’s education landscape since 1922, was razed despite an earlier court order on December 9, 2024, that had raised concerns over its structural stability. The court questioned why the “imminent danger” cited as justification for the demolition was not brought before the vacation bench for approval. “Why this allegedly imminent danger to the building and the need to demolish it was not brought to the notice of the vacation bench and appropriate leave obtained to demolish the building?” the bench asked in its order.
Affidavits submitted by school officials stated that the structure was found to be “structurally very weak” by Reliant Foundations Private Limited, a Guwahati-based firm, necessitating urgent action to prevent potential accidents. The school management claimed that by early January 2025, the building had begun to tilt, reinforcing the need for immediate demolition.
While the court has now allowed the school’s reconstruction, it imposed a key condition: “The plan and architecture of the building should be more or similar to the demolished one.” This stipulation acknowledges the school’s potential heritage significance, given its prominent location opposite the Don Bosco statue and its role in Shillong’s architectural history.
Meanwhile, those responsible for the demolition have been ordered to justify their actions by March 17, explaining why the structure was brought down despite the court’s earlier ruling. Additionally, the school’s administration has been directed not to create any third-party rights through transfer or encumbrance without explicit court approval.
The matter is set for further hearing on March 19, 2025, as the court continues its examination of the demolition’s legality and its implications.
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