Lawyers to join Just Gavai's felicitation, to submit petition of demand of HC bench at Kolhapur

Kolhapur: With a demand of a Bombay high court bench at Kolhapur, hundreds of lawyers from six districts—Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Satara, Sangli and Solapur—will attend the felicitation ceremony of next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Bhushan Gavai in Mumbai. Gavai, from Amravati in Maharashtra, had in Sept last year backed the demand, stating that it is the need of the hour.

VR Patil, president of Kolhapur District Bar Association and chief convenor of the lawyers' forum said, "We are going to be present in large numbers for the felicitation programme on May 18. It is organised by the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Association . He is assuming the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on May 14. He was the first sitting judge who backed our demand publicly, and it is our duty to congratulate him. We are also going to submit the petition of the demand formally at the event."

Gavai, during bhoomi pujan of Advocate Academy and Research Centre at Taloja, the first of its kind training academy for pursuing legal education, said a Kolhapur bench is really needed. "It will offer solace and effective and swift access to justice for far-flung residents of the state."

On March 29, a delegation of lawyers from the six districts met Chief Justice of Bombay HC Alok Aradhe and showcased a presentation explaining in details the need for the HC bench at Kolhapur. Administrative judges of the HC were also present.

"With Justice Gavai assuming the highest legal office, our hopes are now high. We expect the decades-old demand to be met as early as possible. The govt is apprised of the demand and is also in favour of Kolhapur to set up a bench," said Patil.