HC bench for Pune: Decision on Jan 15

The final decision on the issue of High Court bench for Pune will be decided be made by a panel of three judges on January 15.

The Pune Bar Assocation (PBA) has been fighting for the demand of setting up a High Court bench in Pune district since 1978. Earlier, justice DY Chandrachud and justice SJ Vazifdar comprised the panel. But the panel was reconstituted later. Justice Vazifdar chairs the new three-judge panel.

PBA president Rajendra Umap said, “We have tried our best and presented our case with all the factors that necessitate an HC bench in Pune. We will try to convince them to set up the bench here. Litigants have to come all the way from Pune and other districts of Western Maharashtra to Mumbai, which is expensive as well as time-taking. On January 15, there will be a decision on whether Pune and Kolhapur should be getting the HC bench.”

Vivek Bhargude, auditor of PBA, said, “Setting up a bench in Pune will not only help the district, but also four nearby districts. Taking into account the suitable location of the city, several important institutions have been set up here including a bench of Maharashtra State Cooperative Appellate Court, Western Zone bench of the National Green Tribunal, Yerwada Central Prison and Southern Command.”