Integrated court complexes in Uttar Pradesh will set a national benchmark: CJI

Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant said on Saturday that Uttar Pradesh will set an example for the entire country with the construction of integrated court complexes.

“To realise the constitutional dream, I can proudly say that the construction of six integrated court complexes, along with four more that are yet to be built in Uttar Pradesh, will become a model for the whole nation. These integrated court complexes will set a benchmark for India,” the CJI said.

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The Chief Justice was speaking after laying the foundation stone of six integrated court complexes in six districts of Uttar Pradesh here on Saturday.

He said these integrated court complexes have been designed to meet the requirements of the next 50 years or more. “They are equipped with all kinds of modern facilities. These judicial complexes provide commendable infrastructure for lawyers as well as for the consumers of justice—that is, the common people who come to court to seek justice,” he added.

Justice Surya Kant further said that the Indian Constitution gives a significant place to the district judiciary. According to the framers of the Constitution, the district judiciary has the capacity to enforce fundamental rights even more effectively at the grassroots level. “If the district judiciary is strengthened, the dream of justice in India can be fulfilled. People will get access to courts closer to their homes, in their own areas,” he said.

The Chief Justice also thanked Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for organising the programme. “The Chief Minister informed me that this region is famous for its historic religious temples. Today, he has added a new chapter to that history by establishing these judicial temples here,” the CJI remarked.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the state government aims to build court complexes in every district. “On behalf of the state government, I assure everyone that there is no shortage of funds, nor will there be. What is required is strong willpower,” he said.

Welcoming the Chief Justice of India and other senior judges, the Chief Minister said, “Today is a very important day. A new chapter in the judiciary is beginning here. During an earlier visit, Justice Surya Kant had emphasised that justice should be easily accessible to every citizen. For this, it is essential to develop an integrated model where all facilities are available under one roof.”

He further added that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, several reforms were initiated. “When the Chief Justice spoke about the need for integrated court complexes at a programme in Prayagraj, the Uttar Pradesh government immediately began work in this direction. I thank the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court for his positive cooperation. Construction has been started in ten districts where independent district courts did not exist earlier,” he said.

Earlier, Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly laid the foundation stone of integrated court complexes for six districts—Chandauli, Mahoba, Amethi, Shamli, Hathras, and Auraiya.

In Chandauli, the district court complex will be constructed near the Collectorate at a cost of over ₹200 crore. The nine-storey, state-of-the-art building will have 37 courtrooms, advocates’ chambers, an auditorium, a park, a food court, and ample parking facilities. The total cost of constructing six district court complexes is estimated at around ₹1,635 crore.