Pune: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Saturday, said that he supports setting up of a Mumbai High Court bench in Pune, but the decision to establish the bench lies with Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur. Chellur meanwhile said that the decision would be decided on ‘merit’.

Fadnavis and Chellur were present in the city for the inauguration of the new family court building. While the CM was speaking, some lawyers raised the issue of a high court bench. “The chief justice is here. You put the proposal properly before her and she will take the decision,” he said in reply.

Later, a meeting in this regard was held in the chamber of Principal District Judge Shriram Modak, in the presence of Fadnavis, Chellur and representatives of the Pune Bar Association (PBA).

“Both the Chief Justice and CM were positive about the high court bench in Pune. The CM assured us that if a decision to establish the HC bench is taken, the government will provide Rs 22 crore for the purpose. The Chief Justice said that a one-member committee will take the decision on ‘merit’ about the new HC bench,” PBA President Rajendra Daundkar said.

New Family court building

The new Pune Family Court is located near the district court premises in Shivajinagar. The ground-plus-three-storied building, which occupies an area of 49,000 sq ft, has been constructed at a cost of Rs 15 crore. It has modern facilities, including a childcare centre and eight spacious courtrooms. Earlier, the court operated from a rented premises at Alka Chowk. The need for a new building was felt in view of the rising number of family court matters and problems such as insufficient space and infrastructure.