Bombay High Court Likely To Get Land For New Building At Bandra Soon, All Legal Hurdles Cleared: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday said that all legal issues have been cleared and a decision has been taken for a new building for the Bombay High Court at the Bandra Kurla Complex.

"We have discussed the land allotment issue at BKC, which I think is a requirement as well. Therefore, we have taken a decision based on whatever was sought. That's all that I can say on this occasion," said Shinde.

Shinde was speaking at an event at the Maharashtra Raj Bhavan for felicitation of Chief Justice of India U. U. Lalit by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Lalit will retire as the CJI on November 8, after a brief tenure of 74 days.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Dipankar Datta, former Union Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde as well as several sitting and retired Judges of the Bombay High Court also attended the event. The speakers gave their address in Marathi.

Fadnavis noted in his speech that Chief Justice Datta wanted to have the Bombay High Court complex in Bandra and made all efforts for the same.

"And we have to tell him (Datta) that we have cleared everything as per his wish and soon there will be a decision. Old building is beautiful but it is insufficient……. We may soon see a new Bombay HC building at BKC", said Fadnavis.

During his speech, Fadnavis said that CJI Lalit made a great contribution to the judiciary. There are very few people who have got elevated as SC judge from bar, Fadnavis noted. He recalled that CJI Lalit's image was of a studious and knowledgeable advocate and he was considered as Amicus in many matters. Fadnavis appreciated CJI Lalit's decisions to improve the justice delivery system.

CM Eknath Shinde said that the state government wanted to felicitate CJI Lalit on September 11, but there was a state mourning because of the queen's demise. "We are happy about the son of Konkan and Solapur becoming CJI and we are getting to felicitate him and feel lucky about it", Shinde added.

Shinde appreciated CJI's suggestion to begin court hours at 9 am stating that it is important to dispose of pending matters. "He did not just say it but he began a streak of disposing of cases. He brought transparency in Supreme Court proceedings with live telecast", Shinde said.

"His modesty is worth imitating by all. He is a lighthouse for youngsters coming into the legal field", Shinde added.

CJI Lalit recalled that he decided to roam around every district in Maharashtra on motorcycle with college friends. "I have been to the Pandharpur pilgrimage several times on a route from Alandi to Pandharpur. I am closely connected with this soil and state. It gives me warmth", CJI added.

He further recalled that he once saw the CM doing pooja for the entire state at Pandharpur. "I am getting a similar feeling today that I am getting felicitated on behalf of the entire state and this feeling is important for me", said CJI Lalit.

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari noted that he has gotten an opportunity to felicitate two CJIs (Retd CJI Bobade and CJI Lalit) on behalf of State. He stated that he will be felicitating a third CJI (Justice D. Y. Chandrachud) too. Justice Chandrachud will take oath as 50th Chief Justice of India on November 9 and have a tenure of two years.

Koshyari said that he felt like he was in goddess Tulja Bhavani temple when he heard CJI Lalit speak in Marathi.

"You will get free from judicial duty but you won't be free from your duty to give guidance", Koshyari told CJI Lalit.

Governor Koshyari gave his best wishes to CJI Lalit. "Now that you are retiring, my best wishes are that you come to Raj Bhavan very soon or at an even higher post", said Koshyari to CJI Lalit.

(Compiled by Amisha Shrivastava)