Historic Moment: Kolhapur Gets Mumbai High Court Circuit Bench, CJI Hints At Setting Up Permanent Bench
Historic Moment: Kolhapur Gets Mumbai High Court Circuit Bench, CJI Hints At Setting Up Permanent Bench
Kolhapur, August 17, 2025: In a landmark development, the Mumbai High Court’s Circuit Bench was inaugurated in Kolhapur recently. The ceremony was graced by Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking a historic chapter in Kolhapur’s judicial history.
Addressing the gathering, CM Fadnavis recalled the 50-year-long struggle for the establishment of the Kolhapur Circuit Bench. He expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Gavai for taking the initiative that made this long-awaited dream a reality. “The Cabinet decision and delegations were important steps, but the real push came from Chief Justice Gavai, who ensured site verification and pursued the matter consistently,” Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the prompt and efficient role played by the Law and Justice Department along with other administrative wings in making the project possible. With the land now transferred, construction of the bench’s modern building will begin soon. Significantly, it will come up in the same area where judicial proceedings were once conducted during the reign of Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.
Fadnavis congratulated Chief Justice Gavai once again, acknowledging his leadership in bringing the project to fruition.
The inauguration was attended by Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Ministers Chandrakant Patil, Nitesh Rane, Uday Samant, Prakash Abitkar, MP Dhairyasheel Mane, senior judges of the High Court and other dignitaries.
