Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Justice of India Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde on Saturday inaugurated the new building of the High Court of Bombay at Goa in the presence of Union Minister for Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, at Porvorim.Speaking on the occasion, Justice Bobde said that the new building will give the State an opportunity for better administrational justice and some of the best arguments.
“I am privileged to learn about the Uniform Civil Code. The Goa Bench is fortunate to have some learned judges and lawyers of real eminence. This new building is a sign of new times.”
“As the building of the court is equipped with the latest technology, the language of the Court must be equally established. The Administrative Court of Law in Goa is a unique experience. The transition it has gone through is also instrumental,” Justice Bobde commented, while congratulating the State government.
Stressing on the digitisation and modernisation of the Court rooms, Justice Bobde urged all the Benches of Courts to be compatible with the latest technology.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad praised the State government for completion of the project despite the challenges put forth by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In order to keep a sustainable development of the courtroom, we need to maintain its values. Every time when India suffered challenges, Judiciary has come up with a robust answer. And this has been only possible with the co-operation of the government,” he opined.
Emphasising on digital Courts, the Union Minister said that the unique innovation to allow virtual Courts is remarkable. Digital India has led to digital empowerment. During COVID-19 pandemic, digital technology played an important role and as many as 82 lakh cases were heard virtually in various Courts across the country. However, trolling and criticism on a particular Judge is intolerant and unfair, he added.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that although the inauguration of the building was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic, it has eventually become a part of celebration of Goa’s 60th years of Liberation.
Informing that the new building is Person with Disabilities (PwD) and environmentally friendly, he said that the works of District Court at Merces and Civil Court at Margao are in the pipeline.
Sawant also said that the government will consider getting the International Law School Academy and International Arbitration Centre in the State soon.
Earlier, the function began by lighting the traditional lamp by the dignitaries. A group led by Bindiya Vast-Naik presented the welcome song while Justice Dipankar Dutta delivered the welcome address. Justice Ramana, Justice Gavai, Law Minister Nilesh Cabral and Advocate General Devidas Pangam also spoke on the occasion.
Judge Pooja Kavalekar conducted the programme and Justice Mahesh Sonak proposed a vote of thanks.
On the occasion, a virtual walk through the premises along with a documentary on the new building was also telecast along with other cultural programmes.
Union Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Secretaries to the government and government officers and officials of the various departments attended the event.
Judges at the Supreme Court Justice N V Ramana, Justice B R Gavai, Justice A A Sayed, Justice S S Shinde and Chief Justice of the High Court at Bombay Justice Dipankar Dutta were present among others.
Besides, Judges of Bombay High Court, its Benches in Aurangabad, Nagpur and Goa also attended the inaugural function.
