Munish Sood
Mandi
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday laid the foundation stone for a new Judicial Court Complex in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The modern court complex will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹152 crore and is expected to significantly strengthen judicial infrastructure in the region.
The state-of-the-art complex will come up on 9.6 hectares of land and will consist of four blocks designed to provide improved facilities for judges, lawyers and the general public.
Addressing a legal literacy camp during the event, Justice Surya Kant emphasized that the judicial system should function with the same spirit of service as hospitals. He said people visit hospitals with hope for treatment, and similarly, courts should serve citizens who approach them seeking justice and relief. With expanding infrastructure and resources, he added, the responsibility of the judiciary is also increasing.
Referring to Mandi’s cultural significance, Justice Surya Kant noted that the town—often called “Chhoti Kashi”—is a place of great faith where millions of devotees visit every year. He remarked that the foundation of a “temple of justice” has been laid there and expressed hope that the new complex would soon become operational.
Highlighting the importance of constitutional values, he said that while people often speak about fundamental rights, fundamental duties are equally important and must be followed. He praised Himachal Pradesh for preserving its natural beauty and stressed the need to create greater awareness about constitutional rights and duties, particularly at the grassroots level.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the Chief Justice to the state and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring justice and equal rights for every citizen. He said the state government is working towards inclusive development and social justice in line with the spirit of the Constitution.
The Chief Minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state government in the fields of education, healthcare, social security and transparent governance to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens and strengthen democratic values.
Among the key initiatives, he mentioned the state’s decision to adopt nearly 6,000 orphaned children as “Children of the State” through a special law. He also said the legal age of marriage for girls in the state has been raised to 21 years to ensure equal opportunities for women. Additionally, daughters have been granted equal rights in ancestral property up to 150 bighas, a right that was earlier limited to sons.
The Chief Minister also referred to the launch of the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, under which the government bears the educational expenses of children of widowed women. He added that through revenue Lok Adalats, around 5.5 lakh long-pending cases have been resolved in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, said that collective efforts are being made to ensure justice reaches every individual. He stressed that justice extends beyond courtrooms and includes awareness of rights, legal aid and timely assistance.
High Court judges Vivek Thakur and Ajay Mohan Goel also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of fundamental duties and the significance of the new judicial complex for the region.
The event was attended by several judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, senior government officials, legal professionals, members of the Mandi District Bar Association and other dignitaries.
