In a significant ruling reinforcing access to justice, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a legal challenge against the establishment of a circuit bench of the Bombay High Court in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. The apex court upheld the validity of the notification issued for creating the bench, emphasizing its alignment with the constitutional mandate.
Verdict Upholds Constitutional Vision of Justice
A bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria delivered the judgment on Thursday, December 18, 2025. The court rejected a petition filed by lawyer Ranjeet Baburao Nimbalkar, who had contested the August 1 notification issued by the Bombay High Court under Section 51(3) of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
The Supreme Court firmly stated that the decision to set up the Kolhapur bench "was in consonance with the Constitutional vision of bringing justice to all." The judges highlighted that the move facilitates access to justice for litigants from a region geographically distant from the principal seat of the High Court in Mumbai.
Court Rejects Claims of Procedural Lapse
Addressing the petitioner's concerns, the bench found no merit in the allegations of unilateral action. "There is no material to suggest that the Chief Justice acted unilaterally in disregard of the institutional inputs and relevant considerations," the court observed. It further clarified that even if the consultative process did not meet the petitioner's expectations, it would not invalidate the lawful exercise of power under the Act.
The ruling elaborated on the flexibility of judicial administration, noting, "The Constitution does not envisage a single model for judicial administration. It permits institutional discretion to be exercised within the framework of law to meet practical and geographical needs." The court also asserted that the establishment of the bench does not infringe upon the fundamental rights under Article 21.
Bench Operational, Serving Six Districts
The Circuit Bench in Kolhapur was officially inaugurated on August 17, 2025, by former Chief Justice of India, Justice B R Gavai. It became functional from the following day, August 18.
The new bench holds jurisdiction over six key districts in Maharashtra:
- Kolhapur
- Solapur
- Sangli
- Satara
- Ratnagiri
- Sindhudurg
This development is expected to significantly ease the legal burden for thousands of litigants, lawyers, and officials from these regions, who previously had to travel to Mumbai for High Court proceedings. The Supreme Court's dismissal of the challenge provides finality to the initiative, cementing it as a crucial step in decentralizing justice and bringing it closer to the people of Western Maharashtra.
