Calling for a fundamental reimagining of judicial infrastructure, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant on Sunday advocated the establishment of integrated district court complexes across the state on themodel of unified judicial campuses in Uttar Pradesh. He said the justice delivery system must evolve alongside rapid economic growth and the changing nature of litigation.
Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed Tower of Justice in Gurugram, the CJI said judicial infrastructure was not merely about constructing buildings but was an essential pillar of the constitutional promise of timely and effective justice. As commercial activity expanded and disputes became increasingly, specialised, courts too must be organised to serve litigants efficiently.
CJI proposed that future district court complexes function as integrated judicial campuses housing labour, family, consumer and environmental courts within a single precinct. Such an arrangement, he said, would greatly improve convenience for litigants, lawyers and other stakeholders. He urged the state government to extend full support for developing similar complexes across the state.
Speaking about Gurugram’s economic significance, the CJI said the city’s transformation into a major commercial hub had inevitably resulted in a rise in legal disputes. With more than half of the Fortune 500 companies having offices in Gurugram and over 1,500 companies and startups operating in and around the city, he said world-class judicial infrastructure is now an institutional necessity.
Mentioning the workload of the district judiciary, Justice Surya Kant said nearly 24,000 cases, including around 1,000 commercial disputes, were pending before Gurugram district courts. In addition, about one lakh cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act were awaiting disposal. These figures, he said, underlines the urgent need to strengthen judicial capacity and infrastructure.
Describing judicial infrastructure as the “first aid” available to every litigant, the CJI said citizens approaching courts should find institutions equipped to respond promptly and effectively. He added that the judiciary must inspire confidence so every litigant entered a courtroom believing justice would ultimately prevail.
The CJI also stressed the need for inclusive court complexes, particularly for women. Referring to a nationwide survey conducted with the assistance of the Supreme Court Bar Association, he said basic amenities for women advocates remained inadequate in several places. Every new judicial complex, he said, must provide dignified facilities, including well-designed common areas and essential amenities.
Justice Surya Kant further emphasised that technology could reduce delays only when backed by robust physical infrastructure. He said that the Tower of Justice had been equipped with modern technological facilities to support digital court processes.
Recalling that he had participated in the project’s ground breaking ceremony in 2017 as Chairman of
the Punjab and Haryana High Court Building Committee, he described the inauguration as the fulfilment of a long-cherished institutional vision.