Temple of Justice Not a Seven Star Hotel CJI Call

During the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the new Bombay High Court complex in Bandra (East), Mumbai, Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai delivered a strong reminder about the judiciary’s true purpose. He stated that “a court building is meant to be a temple of justice, not a seven-star hotel.”

CJI Gavai highlighted that the judiciary’s duty is to serve the people especially those seeking justice not to indulge in grandeur or luxury. “Judges are no longer feudal lords,” he said, underscoring that they operate under the Constitution and are accountable to the citizens.

The Chief Justice expressed disapproval of reports suggesting lavish designs and unnecessary amenities in the new court building’s plans, including exclusive lifts for judges. While supporting the need for functional facilities, he insisted that judicial spaces should embody democratic ideals, not extravagance.

“While designing court buildings, we often focus on the judges’ requirements, but we must remember that our existence is for the litigants,” he remarked. He made these comments while laying the foundation stone for the new complex, adding that this would be his final visit to Maharashtra before retiring on November 24.

CJI Gavai’s words serve as a call to return to simplicity, humility, and service in the justice system. His stance challenges the notion that institutional importance should be reflected through opulent structures. Instead, he urged that the courts’ architecture symbolize fairness, accessibility, and efficiency.

The message carries both symbolic and practical weight. Symbolically, the court represents the values of justice and equality; practically, its design must ensure comfort and accessibility for litigants. The efficiency, openness, and cost-effectiveness of such spaces can directly impact public confidence in the judiciary.

As plans for the new Bombay High Court move forward, Gavai’s appeal stands as a reminder that the judiciary’s strength does not lie in marble walls or luxury amenities—but in the trust and service it provides to the common citizen. The building, he implied, should not reflect privilege, but the very soul of justice itself.