Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inaugurated the project for MNLU Mumbai’s new campus at Goregaon, lauding Maharashtra’s efforts in strengthening judicial and legal infrastructure. He encouraged students to embrace litigation and uphold the Constitution’s ideals of social and economic justice.
Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai held a special project initiation ceremony on November 5 for the construction of its permanent campus at Pahadi, Goregaon (West). The event marked an important moment in the growth of legal education in the state, as it will give MNLU Mumbai a dedicated space to expand its academic and research activities.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, who was the chief guest at the ceremony, reflected on the long journey of MNLU Mumbai.
He said,
“MNLU Mumbai was the first one to be started, it is the last wherein the campus is being constructed. Nagpur campus as well as the Aurangabad campus were completed much earlier but it is said that der se aaye magar durust aaye (better late than never) and that I think aptly applies to the present project.”
He noted that even though the Mumbai campus was delayed compared to other Maharashtra National Law Universities, it is a significant and much-awaited step forward.
Responding to recent criticism about poor judicial infrastructure in Maharashtra, the CJI strongly defended the state’s record.
He remarked,
“I read somewhere that Maharashtra is lagging behind in judicial infrastructure. I always said that the criticism is not based on correct facts. In my career as a judge for 22 years, I have seen the public works department in Maharashtra being transformed. You have many buildings being constructed for the district courts for the tehsil courts at various places. Be it Nashik, be it Kolhapur, Amravati, Nagpur…we inaugurated a building at Nashik and I must say that it is a building which could rival any corporate office…I have travelled across various parts of the country and the infrastructure provided to the judiciary by Maharashtra is one of the best and I must pay compliments to the government of Maharashtra for that.”
Justice Gavai praised the Maharashtra government’s consistent efforts in improving judicial infrastructure across the state, calling it one of the best examples in India.
Speaking about his personal connection with Maharashtra’s National Law Universities, CJI Gavai shared,
“As a matter of fact, I have been associated with the Maharashtra National Law University Nagpur from 2017 itself. I have also been associated with the Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad as well earlier without any official capacity and subsequently as a Chancellor of the University.”
He highlighted his continued involvement with MNLUs, showing his commitment to improving legal education in Maharashtra.
Justice Gavai also spoke about how the judiciary depends on cooperation from other wings of democracy. He said,
“I always disbelieved the practice of isolation because in my view, all the wings of the democracy – the executive, the judiciary and the legislature – they exist for the welfare of the citizens of this country. It is always said that the judiciary has neither the power of sword nor the power of purse and unless the executive is on board, it is difficult for the judiciary to provide adequate infrastructure to the judiciary as well as the legal education.”
He emphasized that collaboration between the government, judiciary, and legislature is essential for delivering justice and improving both court and educational infrastructure.
While addressing MNLU Mumbai’s students, Justice Gavai encouraged them to embrace the dynamic nature of law. He stated,
“Law is an evolving, organic, developing branch. Everyday, new challenges are there…in our days, the law colleges, as has been said in the Malimath Committee Report, were the factories for producing half-baked lawyers. That concept has undergone a paradigm shift. Now, the law education is based on the practical oriented training. When I attend the moot court, at times I feel that the students are arguing much better than the lawyers arguing before the court. Therefore, the infrastructure plays a very important role…”
He appreciated how modern law schools now focus on practical learning and skill-building, helping students become more confident and capable professionals.
Commenting on the vision for the new MNLU Mumbai campus, Justice Gavai said,
“We look forward to convert it into an international law university.”
He expressed hope that the new infrastructure would help MNLU Mumbai gain international recognition as a leading law university.
Encouraging students to pursue careers in litigation, the CJI added that real satisfaction in law lies in courtroom practice. He said,
“Maybe in a place like Bombay and Delhi there’s a scope for specialized litigation..As Dr. Ambedkar used to always say, a lawyer is also a social engineer. He also has a role in bringing the social and economic justice, the promise of social and economic justice into reality. I am sure that the students who will be passing out from this University will pass out and become the social engineers, the torchbearers of the social and economic justice who have deep commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution.”
Justice Gavai’s speech was full of inspiration for aspiring lawyers, reminding them of their role in upholding constitutional values and contributing to social and economic justice.
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MNLU Mumbai Registrar Prof (Dr) Prakash Chaudhary delivered the vote of thanks at the ceremony.
The event was attended by several dignitaries including Bombay High Court Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pro-Chancellor of MNLU Mumbai Justice Bharati Dangre, and Vice-Chancellor Prof Dilip Ukey.
The establishment of the permanent MNLU Mumbai campus marks a new chapter in the state’s commitment to quality legal education and judicial development.
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