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Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday laid down the foundation stone of the new high court building in Bandra during the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Let me give an ode inspired by the song 'Koi kahe kehta rahe' from the iconic movie Dil Chahta Hai. I am a bit inspired because the HC building moves a little closer to Bollywood at least physically. The lyrics 'Hum hain naye andaz kyon ho purana' resonate deeply as we embark on this new chapter. As we move to the new high court with a 'naya andaz' we will build on the values, the ideas and the rich legacy of our foreparents of the court while embracing innovation and progress,” CJI said.

CJI Chandrachud further made it clear that the judges of the High Court exercise their functions with independence, but when it comes to infrastructure, the judiciary stands with the government.

“Let us all be clear and let's not be befuddled by our vision. On the judicial side, judges across the Supreme Court and High Courts exercise their functions with the fiercest sense of independence. But when it comes to the administrative side, 'the infrastructure and budgeting', we stand together with the government,” CJI said.

Supreme Court Judge Justice Abhay Oka said that even though the High Court building is being shifted, the old High Court building would remain with the judiciary as it was constructed for the judiciary.

“I am expressing my strong personal views on this subject in the presence of the highest political dignitaries of the state even if the High Court is shifted to the newly constructed building the building should remain with the judiciary. The building was constructed for and it must remain with the judiciary. We can have a museum or a mediation and conciliation centre,” Justice Oka said.

Supreme Court judges Justice BR Gavai, Dipankar Datta, Ujjal Bhuyan and Prasanna B Varale were also present on the occasion.

Bombay High Court Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Maharashtra Advocate General Birendra Saraf, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis were also present at the event.