(Left to right) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai, Bombay High Court Chief Justice Chandrashekhar, and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar during the stone-laying ceremony for the new Bombay High Court complex at Bandra East on Wednesday

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone of the complex, CJI Gavai emphasised that the new building should not depict an imperial structure and instead be in tune with democratic values imbibed in the Constitution

"While planning court buildings, we concentrate on the needs of judges, but should not forget we exist for the needs of citizens, the litigants," CJI Gavai noted

The CJI, who assumed office on May 14, said this was his last visit to Maharashtra before demitting the top judicial post on November 24, and noted he was satisfied with the judicial infrastructure in his home state

"Earlier I was reluctant to be part of this event. But now I am experiencing gratitude that, as a judge who once discharged his duties in the Bombay High Court, I am ending my tenure with laying the foundation stone of the best court building in the entire country. The judiciary, legislature and executive must work under the Constitution to provide justice to society," he maintained, adding, "This building should be a temple of justice and not a seven star-hotel"