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GANGTOK, OCT 23: The High Court of Sikkim has directed the State Government to immediately fund essential legal research platforms and video-conferencing facilities at Sikkim Government Law College, Burtuk, while seeking a firm timeline for completion of the institution’s new building amid continuing concerns over its ageing infrastructure.

The directions came in an order dated October 14 in a public interest litigation concerning the dilapidated condition of the college. A division bench of Chief Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Bhaskar Raj Pradhan also ordered a review of the college library to determine whether its books reflect the latest amendments to laws.

The order highlights a wider concern about the conditions in which aspiring lawyers are being trained: infrastructure is not limited to classrooms and buildings, but also includes access to updated legal information, research facilities and technology essential for modern legal education.

New building timeline sought

During the hearing, the State’s Additional Advocate General informed the Court that renovation of the existing building was in progress and that a new building was being constructed nearby. The State submitted that the proposed infrastructure would be sufficient to meet the requirements of the Bar Council of India (BCI), the regulatory body governing legal education and professional standards.

The Court directed the State Government to submit a final report specifying the timeline for completion of the new building.

Renovation of the old building is scheduled to be completed by December 22, 2026, in accordance with the timeline recorded in an earlier order.

However, the proceedings revealed that concerns remain over the condition of the existing structure. The convenor of the Court-appointed Fact-Finding Committee, Senior Advocate Karma Thinlay Namgyal, expressed satisfaction with the progress of renovation work. A student representative on the committee, meanwhile, raised concerns about the building’s structural condition.

The Court asked the student representative to submit his concerns in writing to the committee’s convenor, who would take them up with the appropriate authorities for a response.

The exchange underscores the importance of ensuring that renovation work addresses not only visible deterioration but also any underlying structural concerns raised during the assessment.

Court orders immediate funding for legal research platforms

A significant issue emerged when college Principal Dr. Dilip Pandey informed the Court that the institution did not have subscriptions to essential legal research websites and journals required by students.

The Court directed the State Government to provide the necessary funds immediately for licences to SCC Online and Supreme Today AI, legal research platforms used to access case law and other legal materials.

The Principal was directed to prepare a cost estimate and forward it immediately to the Education Department. A copy must also be placed before the Court at the next hearing.

For law students, access to such resources is an important part of legal training. Studying legislation and textbooks alone may not be sufficient without access to court judgments, updated legal developments and research tools used in professional legal practice.

The direction therefore addresses a practical academic requirement, rather than merely an administrative expense.

Library to be checked for outdated legal materials

The Court has also directed the Principal to prepare a report through the college librarian detailing the books available in the library and whether they incorporate the latest amendments to legislation.

The exercise is intended to establish the condition and currency of the college’s legal collection. Laws change through amendments, and students relying on outdated texts risk studying provisions that may no longer reflect the law in force.

The report could help identify gaps in the library and determine whether additional or updated books are required. The order, however, does not specify the number of books available or establish that the entire collection is outdated; those details are to be assessed through the report.

Digital infrastructure also on the agenda

Recognising the need for technological facilities, the Court directed the State Government to provide the necessary infrastructure for a video-conferencing system or screen and allocate funds to meet the expenses.

Such facilities can support academic presentations, remote lectures, expert interactions and participation in educational programmes beyond the college campus.

The direction forms part of the Court’s broader effort to address the institution’s immediate academic needs alongside its physical infrastructure requirements.

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