Surat Pushes for Gujarat High Court Circuit Bench

SURAT : The long-standing demand for a Gujarat High Court Circuit Bench in Surat has gained fresh momentum, with six Bar Council of Gujarat members elected from Surat submitting a representation to Governor Acharya Devvrat.

The campaign seeks to address the difficulties faced by citizens and lawyers from South Gujarat, who currently have to travel to Ahmedabad for High Court proceedings. The proposed circuit bench would serve people from Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Dang.

The representation was submitted by Zaki Sheikh, Preeti Joshi, Hitesh Patel, Hiral Panwala, Bhavesh Rabari and Haresh Nakrani.

The members said the growing population, increasing litigation and pending cases made a stronger case for bringing High Court services closer to South Gujarat.

“The demand for a circuit bench at Surat is not only a demand of lawyers, but a demand related to the right to justice and easy access to justice of lakhs of citizens of South Gujarat,” the six members said.

According to the representatives, establishing a circuit bench could significantly reduce the time and expenses incurred by litigants and lawyers travelling to Ahmedabad. It could also make access to higher judicial proceedings more convenient for people across the region.

The Governor listened to the representation and assured the delegation of necessary cooperation, according to the members.

The campaign will now be expanded through a democratic and constitutional process, with the proposed initiative seeking support from lawyers, bar associations, citizens, social organisations and public representatives across South Gujarat.

The representatives appealed to all stakeholders to join the campaign and support the demand, describing it as an issue concerning wider public access to justice rather than only the legal fraternity.

The move is expected to bring renewed focus on the demand for decentralising access to Gujarat High Court services and establishing a Circuit Bench in Surat, which advocates believe could provide greater convenience and faster access to justice for residents of South Gujarat.