Chief Justice of India, Justice B. R. Gavai, officially inaugurated the construction of Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU) Mumbai’s permanent campus at Pahadi, Goregaon (West), marking a major milestone in the university’s growth. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Shree Chandrashekhar, and other senior members of the judiciary and government.
Reflecting on the occasion, CJI Gavai noted that although MNLU Mumbai was the first among Maharashtra’s national law universities to be established, it is the last to see its campus come to life. He quoted the adage “der se aaye magar durust aaye” (better late than never), appreciating the state’s commitment to finally providing the university with a world-class facility.
Responding to perceptions that Maharashtra lags behind in judicial infrastructure, Justice Gavai highlighted the state’s recent progress, pointing to modern court complexes in cities such as Nashik, Kolhapur, Amravati, and Nagpur. He credited the state government for prioritising the development of robust legal infrastructure.
The Chief Justice also recalled his long association with Maharashtra’s law universities, having worked closely with the Nagpur and Aurangabad campuses before taking up his current role.
Speaking about the future of legal education, Justice Gavai emphasised the need to bridge the gap between theoretical study and practical experience. Referring to the Malimath Committee Report, which criticised traditional methods for producing “half-baked lawyers,” he underlined the importance of experiential learning. He commended MNLU Mumbai students for their performance in moot courts, saying their advocacy skills are comparable to practising lawyers.
Describing the upcoming campus as a step toward transforming MNLU Mumbai into an “international law university,” Justice Gavai encouraged students to consider careers in litigation. Quoting Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, he reminded them that lawyers are “social engineers” responsible for upholding constitutional ideals and ensuring justice for all.
The ceremony also featured addresses by Pro-Chancellor Justice Bharati Dangre, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dilip Ukey, and Registrar Prof. (Dr.) Prakash Chaudhary, who collectively reaffirmed their commitment to making the new campus a hub of excellence in legal education and research.