Bombay High Court's New Complex: CJI Chandrachud Highlights Court's Legacy

On Monday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud noted that the importance of the Bombay High Court in creating a legal culture that has been imitated throughout the nation cannot be overstated. He made these remarks on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bombay High Court complex.

"Even during colonial rule, the High Court bore the unique distinction of being an institution which remained independent of the colonial executive and espoused values of integrity that continue to guide us seven decades after independence" the speaker said.

At a ceremony at Bandra (East) Government Colony, current Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya of the High Court was joined by Justices Bhushan R. Gavai, Abhay S. Oka, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan, and Prasanna B. Varale of the Supreme Court, all of whom had previously worked at the Bombay High Court.

The current Fort area history building in south Mumbai is inconvenient for attorneys and litigants, as Justice Oka emphasised, and "No institution can survive for a long time in the past glory of its heritage building. The current history building must remain with the HC administration" he continued, even though new structures will be built eventually. It should stay with the judiciary as it was built for them. Justice Oka stated that it might be a museum or a center for arbitration and mediation.

Even though just 4.39 acres out of 30.16 acres were given to the HC administration for a new court complex, the judge stated that deadlines should be set for transferring the remaining land and disbursing monies. To complete the work in front of the then-CJI, Justice B R Gavai, proposed that the real building 'must start before November 24, 2025'.

CM Shinde brought up instances of crimes against women, citing citizens' expectations of 'rapid justice'. He declared that this was a 'need of the hour' and that the government was doing everything in its power to provide the necessary infrastructure and assistance to ensure that those found guilty were punished as soon as possible.

"It sends a positive message to society if cases involving crimes against women are handled by expedited courts and the offenders receive prompt, severe punishment. The offenders are deterred, and the general public is helped. As a result, the court stands guard over the Constitution, the law, and the rights of
the people" he continued.

The state law minister, Fadnavis, stated that the new court complex will be finished in 'record time' and that judges and attorneys would be able to get to the facility more quickly because of the recently built coastal road.

Author: 

Aarya Kadam (News Writer) is a final-year BBA student and a creative writer with a passion for current affairs and legal judgments.