Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai on Thursday expressed his strong support for the long-standing demand to establish a bench of the Bombay High Court in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, asserting that justice should be accessible to citizens across all regions without financial or logistical hardship.
Speaking at a felicitation ceremony organised by the Advocates Association of the Bombay High Court at its Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) bench, CJI Gavai reiterated his commitment to decentralising access to justice. “Every time there is a demand for a Kolhapur bench, I have supported it and cited the example of the Aurangabad bench,” he said.
Highlighting the effectiveness of decentralised benches, the CJI noted that more cases are now filed at the Aurangabad bench than at the Mumbai principal bench of the High Court. “It is not financially possible for everyone to come to Mumbai for every hearing. Every citizen in every corner should get justice without spending too much time and money,” he emphasised.
The Bombay High Court currently operates circuit benches in Goa, Nagpur, and Aurangabad, in addition to its principal seat in Mumbai.
In his address, CJI Gavai also shed light on the functioning of the Supreme Court collegium, asserting that merit has always been the primary criterion in judicial appointments. “We never considered caste, religion, or class — only merit and ability,” he said.
He further remarked that the Supreme Court must function as an institution of all judges, not just the Chief Justice. “Decisions should be unanimous. A judge cannot work in silos. Being a judge is not a nine-to-five job; it is a service to the nation and a tightrope walk,” he said.
The CJI, who took office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India last month, became visibly emotional while recalling a personal memory from 2006. “While playing tennis with fellow judges here, I suddenly fell ill and had to be hospitalised. That incident has stayed with me,” he said.
