Demand for HC bench in Kolhapur gets shrill

Keeping in view the growing number of pending cases, the bar associations and litigants have demanded more division benches of the Bombay High Court.

The longstanding demand for the Bombay High Court's division bench at Kolhapur is picking up once again.

The demand has been pending with both the Union government and the Supreme Court. Large number of cases including property and land disputes are pending from this region at the Bombay High Court.

A regional bench can help in quick disposal of the cases.

The Kolhapur District Bar Association in a recent memorandum to the Union government, and the Bombay High Court stated, "The section 51(2) of the state Reorganisation Act of 1956 has already laid down that division benches of the state High Court may be formed at one or more places other than the main centre of the High Courts and accordingly the regional benches are already established in other states. With regard to the availability of space and other amenities for the bench and the judges, the collectorate building is available for the High Court's bench and adequate residential accommodation for judges and educational facilities like English medium schools and colleges of various faculties are also available. Hence there is no reason the High Court's bench at Kolhapur should not be established."

The memorandum also pointed out that before independence Kolhapur had a high court which was presided over by eminent judges. It was known as the High court of Judicature, Kolhapur.