Pune: New Criminal Court Complex to Be Built in Yerawada; 28 JMFC Courts to Relocate in Three Years
Yerawada, 16th March 2025: In a major step towards improving judicial infrastructure, 28 criminal courts currently operating at the Shivajinagar district and sessions court will be relocated to a new multi-story complex in Yerawada. The move is expected to streamline the trial process for undertrial prisoners lodged at Yerawada Central Jail and reduce the logistical challenges of transporting them to and from Shivajinagar.
The foundation stone for the nine-story court building, estimated to cost ₹180 crore, was laid on Saturday by Supreme Court Justice Abhay Oka. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol, along with Bombay High Court Justices Prasanna Varale, Revati Mohite-Dere, Arif Doctor, and Sandip Marne. Pune’s Principal District and Sessions Judge Mahendra Mahajan was also present.
According to senior court manager Atul Zende, the Maharashtra government has allocated an 8,100-square-meter plot at City Survey No. 221/1 in Yerawada for the project. “This new judicial complex will cover an area of 40,000 square meters and will be designed to meet modern requirements. It will include parking facilities for 1,000 two-wheelers and 175 cars,” he said.
The building will be equipped with 11 elevators, a cafeteria, a Hirakani room for women, a child care facility, and an E-Seva Kendra to assist litigants. “We have also planned dedicated bar rooms for male and female lawyers, secure lock-up areas, separate elevators for undertrials, a digital library, a conference hall for judges, and a medical facility,” Zende added.
The upcoming court complex will not only cater to judicial needs but also provide essential public services. “A post office, a railway reservation center, a bank, and ATMs will be set up within the premises. There will also be a central record and evidence room, an auditorium with a 200-person capacity, offices for public prosecutors, four residential suites, separate witness rooms for men and women, a mediation center, and space for the Legal Services Authority,” he elaborated.
Officials believe that shifting the courts to Yerawada will significantly reduce delays in hearings involving undertrials and enhance overall judicial efficiency. “Transporting inmates from Yerawada to Shivajinagar is time-consuming and requires heavy police deployment. Having the courts in close proximity to the prison will ensure smoother and faster legal proceedings,” said a senior judicial official.
The construction is expected to be completed within the next three years, marking a crucial upgrade to Pune’s judicial infrastructure.
