Judges work independently on judicial side but stand with govt on court infra issues: CJI DY Chandrachud

Emphasising the “priority to expedite construction” of the new court complex, CJI Chandrachud said that the ceremony, also attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar celebrated “spirit of cooperation”.

“Let us all be clear and let’s not be befuddled by our vision, on the judicial side, judges across the HCs and SCs exercise their functions with fiercest sense of independence. But when it comes to administrative (issues) such as infrastructure, budgeting, we stand together with the government because our mission is one and the same. These projects are not private projects for judges or lawyers. These are projects created for our citizens,” CJI Chandrachud said.

He added, “Therefore, let there be no doubt at all, and I have no doubt in my mind that the sense of collaboration between the state and judiciary is in the interest of providing modern infrastructure for our citizens and that sense of collaboration is in the tradition that our courts have wielded over for last 75 years and reflects strength and maturity of our nation.”

The Indian Express on October 24, 2022, had first reported that the state government was planning to allot 30-acre land in Bandra (East) Government Colony for the new HC complex.

Justices Bhushan R Gavai, Abhay S Oka, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan, Prasanna B Varale of the SC, who previously worked at the Bombay High Court along with present Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya of HC were also present at a ceremony held at Bandra (East) Government Colony.

Justice Oka stressed that the present heritage building at the Fort area in south Mumbai is inconvenient for lawyers and litigants and that “no institution can survive for a long time in the past glory of its heritage building.”

He added that even though new buildings will be constructed in due course, the existing heritage building “must remain with the HC administration”. “It was constructed for the judiciary and should remain with the judiciary.. It may be a museum or there can be arbitration and mediation centre,”Justice Oka said.
The judge said that while only a small portion (4.39 acre of 30.16 acre) of land was handed over to HC administration for a new court complex, timelines should be fixed for handing over remaining land and releasing funds. He suggested that the actual construction “must start before November 24, 2025 so that the same can be done in the presence of then CJI (Justice B R Gavai).”

CM Shinde mentioned about incidents of atrocities against women in which the citizens expect “fast justice”. He said the government was leaving no stone unturned to provide the infrastructure and aid for the same, so that accused are expeditedly punished and the same was “need of the hour and the society”.

“If the cases of atrocities against women are conducted in fast track courts and if the accused get speedy and strong punishment, then it sends a good message in the society. It becomes a deterrent for the culprits and common persons get relief. Therefore, the judiciary is standing as the protector of Constitution, law and rights of the citizens,” he added.

Fadnavis, who is also state Law Minister, said that the work for the new court complex will be completed in “record time” and due to newly constructed coastal road, the lawyers and judges would be able to reach the new building in less time.