The Meghalaya High Court has ordered the reconstruction of St. Anthony’s Lower Primary School in Shillong, ensuring that the new structure closely resembles the original building, which was controversially demolished during the court’s Christmas vacation. The 72-year-old school, established in 1922, was torn down despite a December 9, 2024 court order, sparking concerns over due process and heritage conservation. The bench, comprising Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh, questioned the urgency behind the demolition, stating,”Why was the alleged imminent danger to the building not brought before the vacation bench for appropriate leave?”
According to affidavits, Reliant Foundations Private Limited, Guwahati, deemed the school structurally weak and at risk of collapse by early January 2025, prompting immediate action. However, the court has now ruled that while reconstruction is allowed, it must adhere to the original architectural style, recognizing the school’s potential heritage value, especially given its location near the Don Bosco statue.
The court also instructed the school administration not to transfer or encumber the property without prior approval and asked those responsible for the demolition to explain their actions by March 17. The next hearing is scheduled for March 19, 2025.
