**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1128, posed on July 25, 2025, regarding the establishment of separate High Court Benches in various states. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Law and Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, responded on behalf of the government.
The response indicates that the establishment of High Court Benches is guided by the recommendations of the Jaswant Singh Commission and the Supreme Court's judgment in W.P. (C) No. 379 of 2000. Key prerequisites for establishing a new High Court Bench include: a comprehensive proposal from the concerned State Government guaranteeing necessary expenditure and infrastructural support, the consent of the Chief Justice of the relevant High Court (who oversees the High Court's daily operations), and the consent of the Governor of the concerned State.
The Minister stated that, as of July 25, 2025, there are no pending proposals before the government to establish any new High Court Benches.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Law and Justice: A department of the Government of India responsible for legal affairs, legislative activities and administration of justice.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Lovely Anand: Member of Parliament who raised the question about establishing separate benches of High Courts.
Arjun Ram Meghwal: Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
High Court: The principal civil court of original jurisdiction in the state.
Jaswant Singh Commission: A commission whose recommendations are considered for the establishment of High Court Benches.
Apex Court: Refers to the Supreme Court of India. The judgment pronounced by the Apex Court is considered for establishment of High Court Benches.
Governor: The Governor of the concerned State has to provide consent to the proposal for establishing benches of High Court.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1128
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 25.07.2025
Setting up separate Benches of High Courts
†1128 SMT. LOVELY ANAND:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to establish separate Benches of High
Court in some States;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take any steps towards establishing
separate benches of High Courts in view of the fact that lawyers are on
strike for this demand; and
(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY
OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY
OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS.
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) to (d): High Court Benches are established in accordance with the
recommendations made by the Jaswant Singh Commission and judgment
pronounced by the Apex Court in W.P. (C) No. 379 of 2000 and after due
consideration of a complete proposal from the State Government consenting to
provide necessary expenditure and infrastructural facilities along with the consent
of the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court who is required to look after the
[1]day-to-day administration of the High Court. The proposal should also have the
consent of the Governor of the concerned State.
At present there is no proposal pending with the Government to establish a
Bench(es) of any High Court.
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