Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai laid the foundation stone for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra, calling it a “temple of justice and not a seven-star hotel.” He urged that the building reflect democratic values and serve citizens, not luxury.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra (East), Mumbai. Speaking at the event, CJI Gavai said he wanted the new building to be a
“temple of justice and not a seven-star hotel.”
He emphasised that the new complex should reflect the democratic spirit of the Constitution rather than appear like an imperial structure.
CJI Gavai stated,
“While planning court buildings, we concentrate on the needs of judges, but should not forget we exist for the needs of citizens, the litigants,”
He reminded everyone that the justice system ultimately serves the people who come to the courts in search of fairness and resolution.
The Chief Justice, who took charge as India’s top judge on May 14, 2025, noted that this would be his last visit to Maharashtra before retiring on November 24. Reflecting on his journey, he said he was happy with the progress of judicial infrastructure in his home state.
He said,
“Earlier I was reluctant to be part of this event. But now I am experiencing gratitude that, as a judge who once discharged his duties in the Bombay High Court, I am ending my tenure with laying the foundation stone of the best court building in the entire country. The judiciary, legislature and executive must work under the Constitution to provide justice to society,”
Reiterating his vision for the new court complex, he added,
“This building should be a temple of justice and not a seven star-hotel.”
Calling the occasion a major milestone, he said,
“Today is a momentous moment, an important milestone in history of the Bombay High Court.”
CJI Gavai also shared that he initially hesitated to attend the ceremony but changed his mind after learning that it was not certain when a judge from the Bombay High Court would next hold the country’s top judicial position.
He expressed pride in being part of this landmark event and said, when completed, the new complex will become one of Mumbai’s most iconic structures.
“He said when the building is completed, it will be the most iconic structure on the Western Express Highway in Mumbai.”
CJI Gavai also rejected claims that Maharashtra was behind in providing judicial infrastructure. He pointed out that during his short tenure as CJI, he had inaugurated or laid foundation stones for several judicial buildings across the state.
He stressed that the judiciary must always focus on the needs of litigants.
“He insisted the judiciary exists to serve litigants who come to seek justice.”
He also underlined the importance of cooperation between lawyers and judges, saying,
“Bar and bench are two wheels of the golden chariot of the institution of justice.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who attended the ceremony, said the new building would complement the heritage structure of the Bombay High Court in South Mumbai, which has stood since 1862.
He recalled the remarkable fact that the old court building was completed with just Rs 16,000 and Rs 300 was even saved from the total funds.
He said,
“The new building will complement the existing historic structure of the Bombay High Court, which since 1862, has been a witness to several watershed moments and milestones in the country’s history.”
The Chief Minister also revealed that he had asked the renowned architect Hafeez Contractor to ensure the new complex retained a democratic look instead of an imperial appearance.
He further said,
“Government legal officers should have good space for their offices in the new sprawling premises. We (government) are the biggest litigants and there should be space for (our) legal officers.”
Fadnavis added that the building would be AI-enabled and assured that it would be completed within the scheduled time frame.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the foundation stone laying ceremony a “historic moment” and said it marks “a new era in the 150-year-old history of the Bombay High Court.”
He informed the gathering that 15 acres of land had already been handed over for the project, and the remaining 15 acres would be given by March 2026. The new complex will cover around 50 lakh square feet.
Another Deputy Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, said he was confident the upcoming building would be an “iconic” structure for Mumbai’s judicial landscape.
He noted that the project cost would exceed Rs 4,000 crore but reassured everyone that there was “no dearth of funds” for the construction. Shinde added that the new complex would perfectly complement the existing Bombay High Court structure at Fort, one of Mumbai’s most historic landmarks.
The new High Court complex, once completed, is expected to significantly improve access to justice, accommodate the growing caseload, and create a modern judicial space rooted in constitutional values and service to the public.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Corruption Case
