Today(23rd Sept), Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud will lay the foundation stone for the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra (East), Mumbai. The project marks a major step in modernizing Maharashtra’s judicial infrastructure.
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MUMBAI: Today(23rd Sept), Chief Justice of India, D Y Chandrachud, is set to lay the foundation stone for the much-anticipated Bombay High Court’s new building complex in Bandra (East), Mumbai. This event marks a significant milestone in the development of the judicial infrastructure in Maharashtra, ensuring modern facilities for the judiciary, lawyers, and litigants alike.
New Bombay High Court Complex: Modern Infrastructure and Amenities
According to the High Court administration’s release, the construction of the new complex will take place on a sprawling 30.16-acre plot of land. This land will be transferred to the High Court in phases, with the first segment of 4.39 acres already handed over, as promised to the Supreme Court.
The state government had initially indicated its intention to provide 30 acres of land in Bandra (East) Government Colony, as The Indian Express first reported on October 24, 2022. The decision came after a high-level meeting between the then Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, who now serves as a Supreme Court judge, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in late August 2022.
The ceremony will be attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with several prominent justices from the Supreme Court who have worked previously at the Bombay High Court, including Justices Bhushan R Gavai, Abhay S Oka, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan, and Prasanna B Varale. The event will be presided over by Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, the current Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
World-Class Facilities for Legal Professionals and Public
The upcoming High Court complex promises to offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, including spacious courtrooms, chambers for judges, registry personnel, and an arbitration and mediation center. In addition, there will be several features aimed at improving convenience for both legal professionals and the public.
“The plan aims to provide stakeholders with access to various support services, including banking and telecom, medical facilities, a digitization center, crèche, cafeteria, waiting areas, a multi-storey car park, a museum, and lawyers’ chambers.”
– the release highlights.
Notably, the design will focus on accessibility for differently-abled individuals, ensuring an inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
The Public Works Department (PWD) had informed the Bombay High Court that a total of 8.5 hectares (approximately 21 acres) of land would be allocated for the judicial complex and residences for judges. Another 3.63 hectares (about 9 acres) would be used for commercial development, which includes provisions for a central tribunal and lawyers’ chambers. This development would generate revenue for the government.
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Strategic Location of the New Complex
The new High Court building in Bandra East will be well-positioned near the island city and the bustling suburbs of Mumbai. Its proximity to the arterial Western Express Highway and the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), one of India’s leading commercial hubs, ensures that it will be easily accessible. The Bombay High Court, originally established on August 16, 1862, and currently located in a historic building near Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk), has been in its present premises since November 1878.
With this relocation, the Bombay High Court will continue to serve Maharashtra through its Principal Seat in Mumbai, as well as its benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa. It also exercises jurisdiction over the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Land Allotment and Judicial Complex Plans
Justice Abhay S Oka, now a Supreme Court judge, had directed the Maharashtra government back in January 2019 to finalize a decision regarding the allocation of land for the High Court’s new premises. The government subsequently agreed to provide a sizable and well-situated plot to meet the demands of the judiciary.
“The site for the new complex is strategically located, close to both the island city and the suburbs, with easy access to the Western Express Highway and the Bandra Kurla Complex, one of the country’s major commercial hubs.”
– emphasized a government release.
This judicial complex is expected to become a benchmark for modern infrastructure, ensuring that it caters to the needs of the High Court’s operations, which span across Maharashtra and neighboring regions.
Bombay High Court’s Legacy and Current Strength
The Bombay High Court has jurisdiction over the states of Maharashtra and Goa, as well as the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu.
As of now, the Bombay High Court has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges. However, only 66 sitting judges are currently serving. This new facility is expected to ease operations and accommodate future expansions.
The foundation-laying ceremony today represents a step forward in upgrading judicial infrastructure in the state, enabling more efficient and modern judicial processes. This initiative will also alleviate the space constraints faced by the current building, ensuring that legal proceedings can take place in a more structured and well-equipped environment.
“Established on August 16, 1862, the Bombay High Court currently operates from a grand building near Flora Fountain (Hutatma Chowk), where it has been housed since November 1878.”
-the state government’s release recalled.
