The Dream of Economic and Social Equality Envisioned by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Must Be Fulfilled – Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai

Ratnagiri, Oct 2025 : Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Bhushan Gavai expressed hope that everyone will strive to ensure that justice reaches the last citizen of society in the shortest possible time and at the lowest possible cost through the new Civil and Criminal Court building inaugurated at Mandangad. He said that such efforts will help realize Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s dream of social and economic equality.

The new building of the Mandangad Civil and Criminal Court was inaugurated at the hands of Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai. Present on the occasion were Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Justice of the High Court Chandrashekhar, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Guardian Minister Dr. Uday Samant, Justice Makarand Karnik, Guardian Judge Justice Madhav Jamdar, Justice S. P. Tavade (Chairman, State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission), Minister of State for Revenue Yogesh Kadam, Principal District and Sessions Judge Vinod Jadhav, Civil Judge (Senior Division) Amrita Joshi, Bar Association President Amol Sawant, members Sangram Desai, Lawyers’ Association President Milind Lokhande, MLA Kiran Samant, Divisional Commissioner Vijay Suryavanshi, Special Inspector General of Police Sanjay Darade, and District Collector Manuj Jindal.

Chief Justice Gavai also unveiled the full-sized statue and mural of Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in the court premises by pressing a button, followed by the unveiling of the foundation stone and ribbon-cutting of the courtroom. Civil Judge Mrs. Joshi was ceremonially seated on the dais, and the Chief Justice also inaugurated and inspected the court library.

Speaking later at a function held in the premises of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar High School, Chief Justice Gavai said, “This is an important and historic moment. I have completed 22 years in the judiciary, and the inauguration of the Kolhapur Bench and this Mandangad Court are among the most significant events of my career.” He added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the decision to establish the Mandangad Court within a very short time. “Both of us were present at the foundation ceremony, and today, both of us are here again for the inauguration. This is indeed a moment of pride. I thank the Maharashtra Government, particularly the Law and Judiciary Department and the Public Works Department, for giving me this opportunity.”

He noted that within just 20 days, the old building at Kolhapur was renovated to start the new Bench. “Look at the buildings at Nashik, Nagpur, and Mandangad, and even in my hometown Daryapur. I can proudly say that no other taluka in the country has such magnificent court buildings. Maharashtra has set an example by constructing such remarkable infrastructure,” he stated.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “On October 8, 2023, Chief Justice Gavai and I performed the foundation ceremony of this court. Within two years, the Public Works Department has completed a beautiful building. The establishment of the Kolhapur Bench, under Chief Justice Gavai’s guidance and leadership, began in 2014. He has always acted as a vital link between the judiciary and the government. From 2014 to 2025, around 150 new court buildings and institutions have been approved, many of which have been completed. The credit for this goes to Chief Justice Gavai.”

He added, “As a lawyer myself, I had taken charge of the Law and Judiciary Department when I was Deputy Chief Minister. When Eknath Shinde became Chief Minister, 29 new judicial infrastructure projects were approved. The demand for a new court building at Chiplun will be approved immediately. We will also expedite the construction of the memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Ambadwe. The Mandangad Court will serve nearly 4.5 lakh citizens, saving them both time and money. This is not just a building, but a dynamic system of justice delivery. The full credit for this goes to Chief Justice Gavai. Pending cases will now be resolved more swiftly. Dr. Ambedkar gave us a magnificent Constitution that ensures equality of opportunity and justice for every individual. As a government, we are fully committed to upholding this responsibility.”

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar dedicated his life to providing justice to the underprivileged. His full-sized statue stands in this court, symbolizing the temple of justice and the temple of the Constitution. The foundation and inauguration of this building by the Chief Justice demonstrate the capability of the Public Works Department. Dr. Ambedkar envisioned justice reaching the last person in society. The felicitation of the workers who built this structure at the hands of the Chief Justice fulfills that vision. His foresight that justice should reach every village is evident here. Chief Justice Gavai is an extraordinary personality among the common people — a true pride of the Indian judiciary. Courts play a vital role in delivering justice to the last citizen, and that is why the government has spared no effort in strengthening judicial infrastructure. This temple of justice will ensure faster case disposal and accessible justice for all,” he said.

Guardian Minister Dr. Uday Samant added, “Mandangad may be the only town in the country with a population of 40,000 that has both Civil and Criminal Courts. A new Sessions Court building should be constructed at Khed, and funds should be made available for the Chiplun Court proposal already submitted. The design for the Ambadwe Memorial has been prepared and should be implemented soon.”

Chief Justice Chandrashekhar and Justice Karnik of the High Court also shared their thoughts. Guardian Judge Jamdar delivered the welcome address, while Bar Association President Lokhande offered a vote of thanks.

The program began with floral tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Preamble of the Constitution, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, followed by lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Lawyers, litigants, and citizens attended the event in large numbers.