The Supreme Court dismissed a writ petition challenging the Bombay High Court’s August 1 notification establishing the Kolhapur Circuit Bench, holding that the decision was lawfully taken under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 and advances access to justice for litigants from a geographically distant region.
The petition, filed by Advocate Ranjeet Baburao Nimbalkar, questioned the validity of the notification issued under Section 51(3) of the 1956 Act, arguing that the consultative process was inadequate and that earlier policy criteria, particularly the Jaswant Singh Commission’s 1985 recommendations, were not fully appreciated. The challenge also relied on past jurisprudence stressing consultation within the High Court before creating circuit benches.
The Union and the Bombay High Court defended the move, citing sustained representations, regional needs, and institutional considerations supporting the Kolhapur Bench, which became operational on August 18.
A Bench of Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice N.V. Anjaria underscored that Section 51(3) preserves the decision-making authority of the Chief Justice of India and found no basis to infer unilateralism or disregard of institutional inputs. Rejecting the plea’s premise, the Court observed that alternative policy preferences cannot invalidate a decision taken within statutory bounds and absent mala fides.
Emphasising constitutional purpose, the Bench held that the move was “in consonance with the constitutional vision of bringing justice to all,” and concluded that no judicial interference was warranted.
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