The Bombay High Court will have a new bench in western Maharashtra in Kolhapur district, which makes it the fourth bench of the High Court in the state. According to a PTI report, seating will begin from August 18.
A notification was issued on Friday by Chief Justice Alok Arade.
“, I, Chief Justice of the High Court in Alok Arade, Bombay, with the approval of the Governor of Maharashtra, appoints Kolhapur as a place on which High Court judges and divisions can also sit, can be effective since August 18, 2025,” said this.
Officials said the roster of judges for the Kolhapur bench – which is expected to serve six districts – will be finalized next week.
Currently, the High Court has its major bench in Mumbai and additional benches in Nagpur and Aurangabad. It also sits in Goa.
A bench in Kolhapur has been going on for a long time to reduce the burden on litigants and lawyers, which should travel about 380 km to Mumbai for otherwise hearing.
The new bench is expected to cover the districts of Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Indudhag.
India’s Chief Justice Bra Gavai recently supported the demand for a bench in Kolhapur.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the notification on X, the move gave a big relief for cases and legal professionals in the region.
Describing it as “historical development”, the CM said the demand was under consideration since the beginning of his tenure.
“This was a long -standing demand of the people, and I was continuously moving it.
He thanked CJI Gavai and Chief Justice Aradhe for his support.
“While saving the time, effort and wealth of the citizens, it would make justice more accessible and efficient,” he said, “he said,” congratulations to the people of the region and the legal fraternity. “
