Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant Lays Foundation for New Court Complex in Tirupati, Emphasises Trust in Justice Delivery
Tirupati, March 1:Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant stated that judges bear the responsibility of instilling confidence among thousands who approach courts seeking justice, assuring them that justice will indeed be delivered.
On Sunday, at Daminedu in Tirupati Rural Mandal, the Chief Justice of India, along with Supreme Court Judges Justice J.K. Maheshwari, Justice P.S. Narasimha, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, Justice S.V.N. Bhatti and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, participated in the bhoomi puja and foundation stone laying ceremony for a new court complex comprising 16 court halls.
The event was attended by Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, High Court Judges Justice Ninala Jayasurya, Justice Donadi Ramesh, Justice Maheshwara Rao Kuncham and Justice T.C.D. Sekhar, along with senior judicial officers, district officials and members of the Bar.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Surya Kant said he has always maintained that court complexes should function like hospitals. Just as a patient visiting a hospital expects primary care and reassurance, every person who enters a court must feel assured of safety and justice. He stressed that this responsibility rests equally on both the Bar and the Bench. Expressing hope that the new complex would emerge as a “Temple of Justice,” he said every litigant should leave with satisfaction after securing justice.
He emphasised that Bar Associations are an integral part of the justice delivery system and that delivering justice is not solely the Bench’s responsibility. The Bar and Bench, he said, are two hands of the same institution. Strong arguments from the Bar inspire judges to think deeply, analyse carefully and write clear judgments. The better the quality of advocacy, the higher the quality of judicial outcomes, which in turn strengthens public faith in the judiciary.
Justice J.K. Maheshwari spoke about the importance of judicial infrastructure, stating that once a court building is completed, the real challenge begins. He underlined the need to ensure affordable access to justice and timely, predictable adjudication. He urged state governments to plan judicial infrastructure keeping in mind the needs of the next 50 to 100 years, noting rapid urbanisation and population growth. He commended the Andhra Pradesh government for allocating adequate land with foresight and suggested establishing a primary health centre within the court complex.
Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur said that judicial infrastructure in the State has significantly improved since bifurcation. He recalled earlier times when courts functioned under severe constraints, lacking even basic facilities. He highlighted how adopting technology and developing modern infrastructure has enhanced efficiency in handling pending cases.
Justice Maheshwari described Tirumala as a symbol not only of spirituality but also of dharma. He said courts are often referred to as “temples of justice,” and in Tirupati the symbolism becomes even more meaningful. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita — “Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana” — he said the judicial profession demands commitment to duty without expectation of personal gain.
Justice Ninala Jayasurya called the occasion historic for the district judiciary. He said the presence of the Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court judges would remain a milestone in Tirupati’s judicial history. He noted that the new complex would provide improved facilities for judges, lawyers and litigants alike.
Tirupati Bar Association President G. Gajendra said the Bar has a history of over a century but this was the first time a sitting Chief Justice of India had visited the city. He stated that for years, lawyers and litigants faced difficulties in congested and inadequate buildings, and the new 16-hall complex would mark a transformative change.
The new district court complex is being constructed over 14.49 acres, with a built-up area of 2,40,904 square feet. Only 9 percent of the land is allocated for the main building, while 57 percent has been reserved for future expansion and 16.6 percent for parking facilities. Designed with inspiration from Tirupati’s temple architecture, the complex will include 16 court halls, medical facilities, a library, auditorium and meeting halls across ground plus five floors. Escalators will be installed for ease of access, a first for a court complex in the country. Court halls are arranged around a central courtyard to allow natural light and ventilation.
Dignitaries were felicitated with shawls and presented with mementoes during the programme.
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