Pune, 4th August 2025: While Kolhapur has recently received a green signal for a circuit bench of the Bombay High Court, the long-pending demand for a similar bench in Pune continues to remain unresolved.
It's been 47 years since the Maharashtra Legislature unanimously passed a resolution in 1978 to establish benches in both Pune and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Yet, only the Sambhajinagar bench became functional in 1981, while Pune’s demand is still pending.
To push the demand forward, Pune-based lawyers have formed an action committee. They have submitted representations to members of the judiciary and public representatives, who have reportedly responded positively. The committee hopes that a circuit bench will soon be set up in the city.
According to Hemanth Jhanzad, President of the Pune Bar Association, the committee is scheduled to meet the Chief Justice next week. Earlier, lawyers had warned of a strike if no steps were taken. In response, the Chief Justice invited the delegation for a discussion.
The upcoming meeting is seen as a significant step in the ongoing campaign. Advocates and litigants in Pune continue to question how long they must wait for justice to become more accessible in the region.