Sun Aug 17 17:15:45 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inaugurated a new circuit Bench of the Bombay High Court in Kolhapur on August 17, 2025. The inauguration, attended by Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, follows years of requests to alleviate the burden on litigants and lawyers traveling to Mumbai. The Kolhapur Bench, operational from August 18, will consist of a division Bench and two single Benches with jurisdiction over six districts. Specific Justices have been assigned to preside over various types of cases.

**News Article:**

**Bombay High Court Opens New Circuit Bench in Kolhapur**

**Kolhapur, August 17, 2025** – In a move aimed at easing the burden on litigants and lawyers, the Bombay High Court inaugurated its new circuit Bench in Kolhapur district today. Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai presided over the opening ceremony, which was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

The establishment of the Kolhapur Bench fulfills long-standing demands from various stakeholders who have faced difficulties traveling to Mumbai for legal proceedings. This new Bench joins existing Benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), and a sitting Bench in Goa.

A notification issued by Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe on August 1 designated Kolhapur as a circuit Bench. Starting August 18, the Kolhapur Bench will commence operations with a division Bench and two single Benches. These Benches will have jurisdiction over six districts: Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg.

Justices M.S. Karnik and Sharmila Deshmukh will comprise the division Bench, hearing matters including public interest litigation petitions, civil writ petitions, first appeals, family court appeals, contempt appeals, and all other civil and criminal matters from the specified districts.

Justice S.G. Dige will preside over a single Bench handling criminal appeals, criminal revision applications, bail applications, and other criminal matters. Justice S.G. Chapalgaonkar will lead a single Bench responsible for civil writ petitions, civil applications, and other civil matters assigned to a single judge. The establishment of the Kolhapur Bench is expected to significantly improve access to justice for residents of the region.

Read More