Today, On 1st August,CJI Gavai declines to hear plea challenging relocation of court in Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing, “Courts are not only for lawyers, but for litigants,” while highlighting the goal of accessible justice through initiatives like Gram Nyayalayas.
Emphasizing the importance of “justice at the doorsteps,” the Supreme Court declined to consider a petition opposing the relocation of a sessions court from Machilipatnam to Avanigadda in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district.
A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran stated,
“Whenever a new court is established, the lawyers always oppose. Courts are not only for lawyers, they are basically for litigants. We are talking about justice at doorsteps, gram nyayalayas etc.,”
Recognizing the bench’s stance, the petitioner, Buragadda Ashok Kumar, chose to withdraw his plea.
Also Read: “Justice at Your Doorstep”: CJI Gavai Calls for Decentralised Courts Across India
The petition contested the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s decision to transfer the VI Additional District and Sessions Court from Machilipatnam to Avanigadda.
The high court had previously dismissed the Machilipatnam Bar Association’s objections to the court’s move, highlighting that, despite causing some inconvenience to local lawyers, the relocation would ultimately benefit the broader community of litigants.
Case Title: Buragadda Ashok Kumar vs The Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh
Case No.: SLP(C) No. 17931 of 2025