On Monday, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new high court building in Bandra by laying its foundation stone.

“Let me give an ode inspired by the song 'Koi kahe kehta rahe' from the iconic movie Dil Chahta Hai. I am a bit inspired because the HC building moves a little closer to Bollywood at least physically. The lyrics 'Hum hain naye andaz kyon ho purana' resonate deeply as we embark on this new chapter. As we move to the new HC with a 'naya andaz' we will build on the values, the ideas and the rich legacy of our foreparents of the court while embracing innovation and progress,” CJI said.

CJI Chandrachud emphasized that while High Court judges perform their duties independently, the judiciary collaborates with the government regarding infrastructure matters.

“Let us all be clear and let's not be befuddled by our vision. On the judicial side, judges across the Supreme Court and High Courts exercise their functions with the fiercest sense of independence. But when it comes to the administrative side, 'the infrastructure and budgeting', we stand together with the government,” CJI said.

Supreme Court Justice Abhay Oka stated that although the High Court is relocating, the old High Court building will remain under the judiciary's ownership, as it was specifically built for judicial purposes.

“I am expressing my strong personal views on this subject in the presence of the highest political dignitaries of the state even if the High Court is shifted to the newly constructed building the building should remain with the judiciary. The building was constructed for and it must remain with the judiciary. We can have a museum or a mediation and conciliation centre,” Justice Oka said.

The event was attended by Supreme Court judges Justice BR Gavai, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan, and Prasanna B. Varale. Also present were Bombay High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyay, Maharashtra Advocate General Birendra Saraf, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis.