Institute of Legal and Management Studies

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai on Tuesday urged that the new Bombay High Court building proposed to come up at Bandra should reflect democratic values and not be marked by extravagance. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the new complex, attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the CJI stressed that the High Court must remain a “temple of justice, not a seven-star hotel.”

Congratulating the judges of the Bombay High Court and the State leadership for taking the long-awaited project forward, CJI Gavai said he had read in newspapers about the reportedly lavish design of the proposed building. “I read that one lift will be shared by only two judges... I would like to say that judges are no more feudal lords. Be it a judge of the High Court or Supreme Court, or any person in the Executive, Judiciary or Legislature, we all exist only to serve the citizens,” he said.

Agreeing with Chief Minister Fadnavis' view on the matter, the CJI requested architect Hafeez Contractor to ensure that the new building's grandeur represents the ideals of the Indian Constitution rather than imperial notions of power. “While maintaining the grandeur and iconic nature of the building, it must be ensured that there is nothing extravagant... Ultimately, it is a temple of justice and not a seven-star hotel,” CJI Gavai remarked.

He further urged the architect to take into account the suggestions of the Bar while finalising the design, emphasising that the building should also meet the functional needs of advocates and litigants.

The proposed High Court complex at Bandra is expected to consolidate the judicial and administrative functions of the Bombay High Court, which has long been operating from its heritage building at Fort.