Pune: Sangli MLA Vishwajeet Kadam moved the private members resolution on Friday (July 5) in favour of Pune Bench of the Mumbai High Court.
Dr. Kadam's private member’s resolution, listed as item number 117 under the Legal and Justice Department, recommends establishing a bench of the Mumbai High Court in Pune for the convenience of the people from Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Solapur districts.
Though the resolution, proposed by Vishwajeet Kadam was not discussed, it was accompanied by detailed notes. This resolution has evoked strong reactions from Kolhapur representatives who are advocating the High Court Bench at Kolhapur instead of Pune.
For the past 38 years, Kolhapur has been at the forefront of this movement, with supporters arguing that Kolhapur is geographically convenient for all the concerned districts. In contrast, Dr. Kadam’s proposal to establish the bench in Pune has raised questions about his motives.
After 2014, the BJP-led state government had a significant representation from Pune. A political tug-of-war had already led to several years of delays. Although a cabinet meeting once resolved in favor of Kolhapur Bench, it also noted Pune’s demands, complicating the decision.
The High Court, recognizing these competing claims, has yet to decide definitively. The absence of a final decision now hinges on scheduling a meeting between the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s availability remains a bottleneck, leaving the issue unresolved.
