New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Sunday inaugurated the new District Court Complex, christened the ‘Tower of Justice’, in Gurgaon, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening judicial infrastructure and improving access to justice. Emphasising that the judiciary must remain both efficient and impartial, the CJI said that while speedy disposal of cases is essential, it should never come at the expense of constitutional values and fairness.
Addressing the gathering during the inauguration ceremony, Justice Surya Kant highlighted Gurgaon’s remarkable transformation from an agricultural region into one of India’s leading centres for industry, innovation, and investment. He noted that the city now hosts regional offices of more than half of the Fortune 500 companies, alongside over 1,500 Indian companies and start-ups. This rapid economic growth, he said, has also led to a sharp rise in legal disputes related to property, contracts, technology, employment, and commercial transactions.
The CJI pointed out that the courts in Gurgaon are currently handling a substantial caseload, including more than 24,000 civil disputes, nearly 1,000 commercial disputes, and over one lakh cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act. These figures, he said, underline the increasing pressure on the judicial system and the urgent need for expanded judicial capacity.
Justice Surya Kant described the ‘Tower of Justice’ as more than just a modern building, stating that its true purpose is to bridge the gap between citizens and the justice delivery system. According to him, the significance of a court lies not in the grandeur of its structure but in how effectively it ensures accessible and timely justice for the public.
The newly inaugurated complex houses 56 courtrooms equipped with modern facilities, including video conferencing infrastructure and a well-organised judicial record room. Plans are also underway to establish an International Arbitration Centre under the supervision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a move expected to strengthen Gurgaon’s position as a major destination for commercial dispute resolution.
The complex has also been designed with inclusive facilities aimed at improving the working environment for legal professionals. A spacious Ladies Bar Room, covering approximately 430 square metres, has been created to provide women advocates with a dignified and conducive workspace. Additionally, a childcare centre has been established within the premises to support lawyers and litigants with young children.
Highlighting the broader objective of judicial reforms, the Chief Justice said that the addition of new courtrooms would help accelerate the disposal of pending cases while creating greater judicial capacity to handle commercial disputes and Negotiable Instruments Act matters. However, he stressed that reforms should not focus solely on speed. Instead, the judiciary must ensure that no citizen is denied justice because of financial, social, or procedural barriers.
Reiterating the judiciary’s long-term vision, Justice Surya Kant said India must strive to build a judicial system that is technologically advanced, modern, humane, and firmly rooted in constitutional principles. He added that every case represents real human lives and that the justice delivery system must remain sensitive to the needs and rights of every citizen.
