Justice B R Gavai expressed gratitude to PM Modi for sanctioning Rs 800 crore for the Supreme Court expansion, emphasizing that the project will provide speedy and affordable justice. He highlighted the importance of modern facilities and acknowledged the government’s role in supporting the judiciary’s efforts to enhance access to justice for citizens.
New Delhi: Justice B R Gavai of the Supreme Court expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving Rs 800 crore towards the expansion of the Supreme Court’s infrastructure. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new building, Justice Gavai highlighted the importance of modern facilities for enhancing access to justice and providing speedy resolutions for citizens.
“Without the support of the Executive, we could not have implemented this project,” Justice Gavai remarked, acknowledging the government’s crucial role in pushing forward the development. He added,
“I express my gratitude to the prime minister who, on November 20, 2023, on this very dais, announced that the government has sanctioned Rs 800 crores for this project.”
Right to Justice as a Fundamental Right
Justice Gavai emphasized that the right to justice is a fundamental right under the Constitution, which includes ensuring speedy and affordable justice. The expansion project, with its state-of-the-art facilities, will be instrumental in achieving this goal.
“The new building will be complete within a short period and will have ultra-modern facilities, going a long way in providing speedy, efficient, and affordable justice to the end consumer, that is, the citizens of India,”
he stated.
The expansion will not only create new courtrooms and lawyers’ facilities but also help streamline judicial processes, addressing one of the key concerns of delays in legal proceedings.
Role of the Bar and Bench
Justice Gavai took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the contributions of the Bar Council of India (BCI), Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), and the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAoRA). In his words,
“I always consider the Bar and Bench as the two wheels of the golden chariot of the institution of justice. Stop one wheel and the efficacy of the other automatically comes to a standstill.”
He acknowledged their support in making the Supreme Court expansion project a reality, underscoring the collaborative effort between the judiciary and legal professionals in improving the justice system.
A Vision of Modern Judiciary
Justice Gavai also praised Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud for his leadership in providing improved facilities for judges, lawyers, litigants, and the staff of the Supreme Court. “In the last two years, we have witnessed so many inaugural functions, and I am happy that today it culminates into such a grand event,” he said, reflecting on the progress made under the CJI’s guidance.
The ceremony saw participation from a range of distinguished guests, including Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar, SCBA president Kapil Sibal, and SCAoR Association president Vipin Nair.
The expansion project is set to enhance the functioning of the Supreme Court, creating a more efficient, modern, and citizen-friendly institution. As Justice Gavai remarked, the new infrastructure will play a critical role in ensuring that the judiciary meets the demands of justice in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE