CJI Gavai: Bombay High Court to be a temple of justice, not a seven-star hotel
CJI Gavai: Bombay High Court to be a temple of justice, not a seven-star hotel
CJI Bhushan Gavai urges a modest, citizen-focused Bombay High Court as the foundation stone is laid in Bandra East, Mumbai.
Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai has stressed that the upcoming Bombay High Court complex should be a 'temple of justice' rather than a luxury facility. Speaking after laying the foundation stone in Bandra East, Mumbai, he urged the project to shun extravagance and avoid an imperial look, insisting that the building must reflect democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. He noted that while grandeur is not inherently wrong, the emphasis should be on serving the last citizen and ensuring courts are accessible to all litigants. “This building should be a temple of justice and not a seven-star hotel,” he stated, underscoring that the judiciary exists to serve the public, not to elevate itself.
The CJI, who took office on May 14, 2025, also reflected on his forthcoming retirement, calling the ceremony a meaningful close to his tenure in Maharashtra. He recalled his early reluctance to attend the event but said he now feels gratitude for laying the foundation stone of what he called the best court building in the country. He reminded attendees that the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive must operate under the Constitution to deliver justice to society, pointing out that a single lift shared by two judges should not be seen as a sign of austerity but as a practical arrangement for efficient public service.
As the new complex advances, the CJI urged a balance between maintaining architectural symbolism and prioritizing citizens’ needs. He stressed that while planning court buildings, the focus should be on how the structure serves common people—litigants, witnesses, and lawyers—in addition to the convenience of judges. His remarks come at a time when the judiciary is scrutinizing resources and reforms to improve access and efficiency for the public. The project’s direction, he indicated, should align with constitutional ideals and the fundamental duty to provide timely justice to all.
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