The century-old heritage building of the Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court was not in good condition and in 2017 the renovation work was undertaken by the PWD in consultation with National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures . By March 2019 the work was over and a sum of Rs.5 crore had been spent on the renovation work. Upon completion of the work by the PWD, to the astonishment of the fraternity of Chennai lawyers, the renovated court building had remained idle and unoccupied for several months. It was yet to open for the courts to function there. The reason was not clear and the courts were still functioning at Allikulam. There was a proposal to shift the fast track courts and land-grabbing offence courts functioning at Allikulam to here.
 |
| Egmore metropolitan Magistrate court, Chennai imesofindia.indiatimes.com |
 |
| Egnore metropolitan Magistrate court, Chennai.newindianexpress.com |
The British under the Raj in 1916 established three Municipal Magistrate Courts in Madras (Chennai) in Egmore, Saidapet and George Town to meet the demand of increasing litigation and to clear the pending legal cases. Since then the old buildings have not seen any activities and remained idle. These colonial structures the witnessed so many important court cases several decades ago are worthy of preservation. Symmetrical arches quality woodwork and staircases, and rosewood doors and features give the old Indo- European styled building a unique look that makes it stand apart.
Toward the end of 2013 the state government has sanctioned 22.21 crore for the for the purpose of preservation and maintenance of the heritage court buildings at Egmore, George Town and Saidapet, besides Court of Small Causes in the Madras HC premises.
 |
| Damaged Egmore Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Chennai.ivechennai.com |
In June 2015, the metropolitan magistrate courts functioning in the old building in Egmore, were shifted to the Lily Pond Shopping Complex (was constructed in 1986 on the plot where Moore market was ravaged by a fire accident in 1985) near the Central railway station. The govt. paid a monthly rent of Rs.17. 79 lakh for the courts. Shifting was done to begin the time-consuming renovation work of the heritage structure and also the construction of a new court complex in Egmore to accommodate all courts affiliated to Egmore court. Since 2015 the Court had been functioning on a separate premise in Allikulam market complex. As for modern multi-storied court complex a sum of Rs 26 crore was spent.
 |
| Egmore court,deccanchronicle.com |
https://www.livechennai.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=7865&catid=10
.webp)
