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Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Red Tape Delayed MNLU Launch, HCBA PIL Facilitated Campus Development: CJI
1 2 Nagpur: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai, in his address as chancellor of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, credited a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) for breaking the bureaucratic deadlock that stalled the university's development. Speaking at the inauguration of MNLU's new administrative block on Sunday, marking the completion of the first phase of campus infrastructure, CJI Gavai recounted a decade-long journey shaped by legal activism, political support, and administrative resolve. "We know that chief ministers and leaders often have good intentions when it comes to supporting the judiciary, but bureaucratic red tape can delay action. That's why the PIL by HCBA, led by counsel Sudhir Puranik, played a crucial role. When the land issue wasn't resolved, it was through the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court's orders that we secured this location, now part of an emerging education hub," Gavai said, referring to the area adjacent to IIIT and Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University. Reflecting on the university's origin, Gavai said that the idea emerged during a visit by then President Pratibha Patil to Nagpur in 2011, when justice Vikas Sirpurkar demanded a national law university in the city during HCBA's platinum jubilee celebration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo "Operations began in 2016 from two classrooms and minimal staff at the Judicial Officers Training Institute (JOTI)," he recalled. The chancellor commended his predecessor, former CJI Sharad Bobde, for laying the foundation of the campus. "Bobde entrusted me with infrastructure responsibilities, and in 2017, we held day-long deliberations to finalise a vision document rooted in modern amenities and green technology," he said. The architectural plans were finalised through a process involving a jury of five international architects, with designs exhibited at Chitnavis Centre, the CJI recalled. Gavai highlighted that then chief minister Devendra Fadnavis committed Rs500 crore to MNLU's development. "Despite changes in govt, from Fadnavis to Uddhav Thackeray and back, support remained constant. Gadkari, too, extended critical help," he noted. Gavai acknowledged contributions from former guardian minister Nitin Raut and his predecessor Chandrashekhar Bawankule, as well as senior bureaucrats like then additional chief secretary Manoj Saunik. He particularly praised justice Anil Kilor for his ongoing involvement in the project. "He has put in extra hours and meticulous planning. I am confident I'm handing over the reins to capable hands," Gavai stated. Concluding with aspirations for the future, Gavai said the institution's future lies with its students and faculty. "The govt has provided infrastructure. To become the best university in the world, it needs inspired students and dedicated academicians. I urge the faculty and students to dream big and make MNLU, Nagpur, an institution of global repute." Fellow Supreme Court judges Dipankar Datta, Prasanna Varale, and Atul Chandurkar, retired SC judge Vikas Sirpurkar, Bombay HC chief justice Alok Aradhe, HC judges Nitin Sambre, Bharti Dangre, and Anil Kilor, CM Devendra Fadnavis, union minister Nitin Gadkari, solicitor general Tushar Mehta, Maharashtra advocate general Birendra Saraf, MNLU vice-chancellor Vijender Kumar, and registrar Ragini Khubalkar shared the dais.


Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CJI: Red tape delayed univ for a decade, PIL helped secure land
Nagpur: CJI Bhushan Gavai, credited a PIL filed by High Court Bar Association (HCBA) for breaking the bureaucratic deadlock that stalled the development of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At the inauguration of MNLU's new administrative block on Sunday, marking the completion of the first phase of campus infrastructure, CJI Gavai, who is also its chancellor, recounted a decade-long journey shaped by legal activism, political support and administrative resolve. "We know that chief ministers and leaders often have good intentions when it comes to supporting the judiciary, but bureaucratic red tape can delay action. That's why the PIL by HCBA, led by counsel Sudhir Puranik, played a crucial role. When the land issue wasn't resolved, it was through the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court's orders that we secured this location, now part of an emerging education hub," Gavai said. The CJI highlighted that Devendra Fadnavis committed Rs 500 crore to MNLU's development during his previous stint as CM. "Despite changes in govt, from Fadnavis to Uddhav Thackeray and back, support remained constant. Gadkari, too, extended critical help," he noted. —Vaibhav Ganjapure


Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CJI is ‘first among equals' not master of Supreme Court: CJI
1 2 Nagpur: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai asserted on Saturday that the apex court is not exclusively for CJIs during a felicitation event organised by the Nagpur High Court Bar Association (HCBA) at the Suresh Bhat auditorium. Speaking to a packed audience, CJI Gavai emphasized that the CJI is "first among equals" and not the master of the Supreme Court. Gavai sought to counter the perception that the apex court is solely for CJIs, referencing his and former CJIs Uday Lalit and Sanjiv Khanna's efforts to promote transparency, democracy, and inclusivity within the judiciary. "I have immense respect for my predecessors, particularly CJIs Lalit and Khanna, who, despite short tenures, ushered in democratic reforms and inclusiveness," he stated. Honoured by Justice Lalit, Gavai expressed gratitude, saying, "This honour from my brothers and sisters of HCBA means more to me than any accolade. I feel privileged that Justice Lalit is the one felicitating me." Reflecting on his professional journey, Gavai acknowledged the pivotal roles of his legal mentors — including Raja Bhosale, Bhausahab Bobde, and VR Manohar — in shaping his career. "They suggested I shift to Nagpur and join the HCBA — a decision that proved to be a turning point in my life," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo In 1990, Gavai joined the govt pleader's office in Nagpur under Advocate General VR Manohar. "I was still under seven years into my practice when I was offered the role of Assistant Government Pleader," he added. Addressing a divisive period within the HCBA during the early 1990s, Gavai noted, "Despite a bitter election, personal friendships remained intact. We restored peace by electing Kumkum Sirpurkar as the first woman president and Nitin Sambre as secretary — both unifying choices." Gavai credited former CJI Sharad Bobde for guiding him to accept the post of Government Pleader in 2000, a role that enabled him to mentor several young lawyers, including Nitin Sambre, Bharti Dangre, VM Deshpande, and Anil Kilor, many of whom have become High Court judges. Gavai emphasized how his practice helped him face legal giants like Manohar, CG Madkholkar, and KH Deshpande. "If I hadn't taken up the role of GP, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to argue against such stalwarts." Gavai served across Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Goa benches, earning respect for his thoroughness and social justice orientation. "As a judge presiding over PILs in Nagpur, I ensured that the Nagpur–Jabalpur highway, long delayed, was completed with ecological considerations like underpasses for wildlife." Ending on a reflective note, CJI Gavai said, "I have had a deeply satisfying tenure across all four benches. I received immense love from my colleagues and bar associations. I do not accept felicitation ceremonies generally, but I will make an exception for the places where I served as a judge — Aurangabad and Goa." As a HC judge at Nagpur, Gavai presided over important rulings, such as upholding constitutional courts' jurisdiction over conflicting National Green Tribunal orders and increasing MBBS seats in govt colleges. Reflecting on his tenure, he stated, "I was deeply satisfied with my work across Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, and Goa benches."


Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Justice Atul Chandurkar Recommended for SC Elevation by CJI-led Collegium
1 2 Nagpur: Justice Atul Chandurkar, a senior judge of the Bombay high court, has been recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court by the collegium led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Gavai. The recommendation underscores his contributions to constitutional jurisprudence, particularly in the realm of digital rights and free speech. The city's legal fraternity was on cloud nine as soon as the news was received, and congratulatory messages poured in on social media about his elevation. This is the second big elevation for the Nagpur High Court Bar Association (HCBA) in two weeks, as justice Gavai was sworn in as CJI on May 14. Justice Gavai was the last judge from the HCBA here to move to SC on May 9, 2019. Born on April 7, 1965, Chandurkar completed his education in Pune, earning degrees in commerce and law before commencing his legal practice in Mumbai on July 21, 1988, under senior counsel BN Naik. He later shifted to Nagpur in 1992, where he practised across various courts. He authored two books; 'The Maharashtra Municipal Council Nagar Panchayats & Industrial Townships Act, 1965' and 'The Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 12000W лазерен заваръчен апарат (4 в 1) – революция в заваряването! Undo Elevated as an additional judge of the Bombay high court on June 21, 2013, he has since presided over numerous important cases. One of Chandurkar's most notable judgments came in September 2024, when he served as the tie-breaker in a split verdict concerning the constitutional validity of the 2023 amendments to the Information Technology Rules. These amendments empowered a govt-appointed Fact Check Unit to label online content related to govt business as 'fake' or 'misleading'. Chandurkar's recommendation to the apex court comes as part of CJI Gavai's efforts to strengthen the judiciary with judges possessing deep constitutional insight and a commitment to upholding fundamental rights. He will bring to the apex court a wealth of experience from his tenure at the HC and a reputation for judicious reasoning in complex legal matters, said HCBA members. The recommendation reflects a deliberate effort by the collegium to bring a balance of regional representation and subject matter expertise to the top court. The collegium's recommendation is now pending approval by the President of India. If confirmed, justice Chandurkar will serve till April 6, 2030, at the top court. His elevation is anticipated to further reinforce the SC's role in safeguarding constitutional liberties in the digital age. # List of Supreme Court judges from Nagpur High Bar Association: Justices Janardan Mudholkar, Ananda Sen, Vikas Sirpurkar, Sharad Bobde, and Bhushan Gavai # From Erstwhile CP & Berar Region: Justice Vivian Bose and Mohammed Hidyatullah