Bombay high court circuit bench to go functional in Kolhapur from Aug 18
"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of Section 51 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (No. 37 of 1956), and all other powers enabling me in this behalf, I Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, with the approval of the Governor of Maharashtra, appoint Kolhapur as a place at which Judges and Division Courts of the High Court may also sit, with effect from 18th August 2025," the publication read.
The decision fulfills an almost four-decade long demand by Kolhapur's legal fraternity as well as the litigants for an HC bench. As of now, Bombay HC has permanent benches at Nagpur and Aurangabad in Maharashtra and Panaji in Goa. Litigants from Kolhapur and five adjoining districts have to travel 400km to Mumbai to appear for hearing in cases at Bombay HC.
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The demand for circuit bench was made on the grounds of long-distance travel, the cost of stay in Mumbai and decentralisation of justice.
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The six districts have total area of 55,000 square km and population around 1.64 cr. The number of pendancies from the six districts in HC is around 20% of total pendencies as per a study report by lawyers' associations from six districts. Bombay HC is the only HC now with five benches.
Madhya Pradesh HC has three benches.
CM Devendra Fadnavis said, "The HC circuit bench will serve six districts: Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.
This was a long-standing demand of the people in this region, fought for over many years. They consistently approached me for this cause. Since becoming the CM, I have pursued this matter relentlessly, and now it has finally succeeded. I wholeheartedly thank the Chief Justice of India, Hon'ble Justice Bhushan Gavai, and the Chief Justice of Maharashtra, Hon'ble Justice Alok Aradhe, for their support.
This will undoubtedly expedite judicial processes and save time, effort, and money for the citizens.
Heartfelt congratulations to the residents and lawyers of the region."
The announcement triggered celebrations across the six districts. Kolhapur bar association president S S Khot, also chief convener of the movement demanding the HC bench in Kolhapur, told TOI: "Kolhapur had the Supreme Court when there was royalty led by the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj untill 1940. In the same building the judges and division courts will sit and function as circuit benches of HC.
We are planning to inaugurate the facility at the hands of CJI Bhushan Gavai.
"
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, before he became the CJI, while speaking at the inauguration of an advocates' academy last Sept, expressed support for the establishment of a separate Kolhapur bench of the HC. "A Kolhapur bench is the need of the hour. It will offer solace and effective, swift access to justice for far-flung residents of the state."
Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI) President Prashant Relekar and Secretary Suresh Sabrad said: "The cause of justice is served. This decision is required to be welcomed as a large number of litigants benefit."
The renovated building will have three court halls. Two judges will preside over the division bench and two as independent. The neighbouring building will house the registry, said Khot.
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