Pune District and Sessions Court is set to undergo significant expansion, with 15,000 square feet of new space being allocated within the upcoming Metro's Multi-Modal Hub in Shivajinagar.
This development follows a strategic decision by the Maharashtra government, which has sanctioned ₹15.04 crore for the construction of this space.
The plan to expand the District and Sessions Court has been in the pipeline since February 6, 2015, when a meeting was held between the then Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
During this meeting, it was decided that the government warehouse land near the court, previously managed by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Protection, would be repurposed for the court's expansion.
However, the land was later transferred to the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, which integrated it into their project for a Multi-Modal Hub in the city.
The project took a decisive turn on June 24, 2017, when a meeting between Supreme Court Justice Abhay Oka and MahaMetro officials confirmed that 15,000 square feet of space, complete with parking facilities, would be reserved for the District and Sessions Court within the Multi-Modal Hub.
MahaMetro stipulated that the court should either pay ₹15 crore or an amount equivalent to the market value of the land at the time of transfer.
Following these developments, the court's construction plan and architectural blueprint were submitted to the government and the High Court for approval.
Once the land transfer is finalized, the District Court is expected to initiate the process of registering the space in its name, with the assistance of the District Collector. The government has released the necessary funds under certain conditions, ensuring the project proceeds smoothly.
This new space will provide much-needed room for additional infrastructure, benefiting both the court and the legal community.
The Pune Bar Association (PBA) has pledged to advocate for the use of this space for the court and lawyers, with plans to submit a formal request to the High Court. The PBA will also take responsibility for the necessary follow-up to ensure that the space is utilized effectively.