The Supreme Court on Monday (October 5, 2026) sought a detailed affidavit from the Union government on the proposed relocation of the 135-year-old Central Secretariat Library (CSL) in Delhi, which houses over 8.5 lakh books, as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.

The court sought details of the space earmarked for the library, along with its layout plans.

The court’s suo motu intervention comes amid reports that the library, currently housed in the Shastri Bhawan complex, was directed on September 17 to vacate the premises by September 30 as part of the redevelopment project.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) had asked the library, along with other offices in the complex, to remove all furniture and electronic equipment ahead of demolition and reconstruction work.

A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva directed Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, to file an affidavit within three weeks setting out the arrangements made for the library.

It also stressed the need to preserve its valuable books, paper records, and archival material.

“It is a library that dates back to 1891, with writings from 1702.

It’s fine to say we should cut down on paper, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of the valuable papers you already have.

You are allotting two rooms in that Kartavya Bhavan, that’s it?”, the Bench remarked.

Stage set for demolition of Shastri Bhawan and Krishi Bhawan in Delhi The Bench also pointed out that the space provided for the library should accommodate its entire collection, including over two lakh books from its regional languages section that have remained packed in boxes at an office complex in R.K.

Puram for nearly 15 years after being shifted there during the construction of the Delhi Metro.

Ms.

Bhati apprised the Bench that an area of approximately 5,200 sq. ft., spread across two floors, was being planned for the library, as against its existing space of 4,144 sq. ft.

She submitted that the instructions received from the government addressed the concerns raised by the court.

“We have taken instructions.

Notice may not be necessary.

A bigger space across two floors is being planned,” she submitted.

‘Give detailed plan’ The Bench, however, insisted that the Centre place its response on record through a proper affidavit giving an undertaking.

It asked the law officer to furnish the complete layout plans, including details of the area that would actually be available for storing books after accounting for conference rooms and other amenities.

“Give a detailed plan...

If you are having conference rooms and what not, [tell us] the actual storage areas for these books.

You have to tell us if there is enough area.

You have all these trappings there.

The area for the actual book storage will go down drastically,” the Bench said.

Bhati agreed to file a detailed affidavit setting out the particulars of the space that would be allotted to the library, along with the complete layout plans.

The court also appointed senior advocate Haripriya Padmanabhan as amicus curiae to assist in the matter and posted the case for further hearing on November 16.

Spread over four floors and nearly 5,500 sq. m. of Shastri Bhawan, the Central Secretariat Library houses more than 8.5 lakh books, including rare volumes, official records and gazetteers.

Its collection is regularly accessed by government officials as well as students preparing for competitive examinations.

Established in 1891, the library was originally located in Calcutta and was known as the Imperial Secretariat Library.

Following the decision in 1911 to shift the capital of British India to Delhi, it was relocated to the Old Secretariat Building in Civil Lines.

It was later housed in North Block before being shifted to Shastri Bhawan in 1969.

Earlier, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had sought to allay concerns that no space had been provided for the library under the redevelopment project.

“Contrary to a few reports, it is clarified that space for the Central Secretariat Library has been provided for in the Kartavya Path redevelopment plan.

The necessary process for construction of the library is underway,” the Ministry said in an October 1 post on social media platform X.

The Ministry, however, did not specify where the library would be housed under the redevelopment plan.