VSASINGH

The Bombay High Court, established on August 14, 1862, is one of the oldest and most prestigious high courts in India. As of January 5, 2026, it continues to play a pivotal role in the Indian judiciary, overseeing a vast jurisdiction that includes the states of Maharashtra and Goa, as well as the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Historical Background

• Established in 1862 under the Indian High Courts Act.
• One of the three chartered High Courts in India, alongside Calcutta and Madras.
• The court building in Mumbai is a heritage structure, designed in Gothic Revival style, completed in 1878.

Current Leadership & Composition

• Chief Justice: Justice Shree Chandrashekhar (sworn in on September 5, 2025).
• Judge Strength: The court has a sanctioned strength of 94 judges (71 permanent and 23 additional).
• Recent Appointment: Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak, a senior judge of the Bombay High Court, was recently cleared by the Centre to be appointed as the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court (effective January 8, 2026).

Recent News & Rulings (January 2026)

• Election Duty Exemption: On January 1, 2026, the court restrained the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from requisitioning High Court and subordinate court staff for civic poll duty, citing that the High Court has exclusive constitutional control over its judicial staff.
• Circuit Bench Expansion: The court officially inaugurated its fourth bench—the Circuit Bench at Kolhapur—in August 2025. As of today, January 5, 2026, Justice N.B. Suryawanshi has taken charge as the Administrative Judge at the Kolhapur Bench.
• Insolvency Rulings: In a significant recent order, the court directed the return of arbitral deposits to the registry in cases where a corporate debtor has undergone resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
• Jurisdiction & Benches
• Principal seat: Mumbai.
• Benches:
  • Nagpur
  • Aurangabad
  • Goa (Panaji)
• Covers Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu.

Structure and Jurisdiction

The Bombay High Court operates through its Principal Seat in Mumbai and several permanent and circuit benches to ensure accessibility:

Heritage and Legacy

• Architecture: The iconic High Court building in Mumbai, designed in the Early English-Gothic style, was completed in 1878. It is part of the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Future Shift: While the historic building remains the heart of the court, there are ongoing plans to shift the primary premises to a more modern, expansive complex in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to handle the increasing volume of litigation.

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