In a significant development for judicial infrastructure in Vidarbha, the renovated annex of the Government Pleader's (GP) Office at the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court was officially inaugurated on Saturday. The ceremony was led by former Chief Justice of India, Bhushan Gavai, marking a step towards enhancing functional efficiency for government litigation.
Upgraded Facilities for Smoother Operations
The renovated annex now houses two fully refurbished courtrooms and two newly renovated chambers. Senior advocate and Government Pleader Deven Chauhan explained that the primary aim of the renovation was to improve functionality and optimise the use of existing space. He stated that these upgraded facilities are expected to ensure a smoother conduct of government matters and provide better working conditions for law officers and support staff.
The event, held on the second floor of the South Wing, saw a distinguished gathering. It was attended by Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, Shree Chandrashekhar, and the Advocate General of Maharashtra, Milind Sathe. The guest list also included several sitting and former judges of the Bombay High Court, as well as former Supreme Court judge Vikas Sirpurkar.
A Tribute to Legacy: The Wall of Honour
A notable and poignant addition unveiled during the inauguration was the installation of a 'Wall of Honour' within the GP office. This wall is dedicated to acknowledging the rich institutional legacy of the office by displaying the names of former Government Pleaders who later ascended to the bench as judges of the Bombay High Court and other constitutional courts.
The wall features illustrious names, including former Chief Justices of India Mohammed Hidayatullah and Bhushan Gavai. Other notable jurists honoured include Justices Nitin Sambre, Bharti Dangre, Dilip Sinha, AM Badar, Arun Chaudhari, Vinay Deshpande, Anil Kilor, Nivedita Mehta, SM Ghodeswar, and Mehroz Pathan, among others. Officials noted that the wall was conceived to highlight the critical contribution of government law officers to the higher judiciary.
Focus on Efficiency Without Expansion
The renovation of the annex is part of a broader, ongoing initiative to upgrade facilities at the Nagpur bench. Officials emphasised that the focus is on improving efficiency within the existing structure rather than expanding the court's physical footprint. This pragmatic approach aims to modernise workspace and workflows without new construction.
Members of the legal fraternity in Nagpur have welcomed the development. Lawyers associated with the GP office described it as a practical step that will ease day-to-day functioning, particularly for matters involving government litigation from the Vidarbha region. The office plays a central role in representing the Maharashtra government in civil, criminal, and constitutional cases arising from the districts of Vidarbha.
Following the formal inauguration, the event concluded with photographs and informal interactions among the judges, lawyers, and officials present, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the judiciary.
