The District and Sessions Court Nagpur — the apex trial court for Nagpur district in Maharashtra, the sub-capital of the state and the geographic and demographic heart of Vidarbha — is a court of extraordinary historical depth, serving a city whose origins trace to the Gond Kingdom of Bhakta Buland Shah, whose judicial infrastructure includes a Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench established in 1936, and whose district court building represents one of Maharashtra’s most significant post-independence judicial infrastructure achievements. Under the supervision of the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur Bench, the Nagpur District Court complex — a nine-storeyed modern building whose construction began in 1971 — replaced a scattered network of barracks and small structures built progressively from 1866 to 1957, consolidating Nagpur’s district judiciary under a single modern roof in one of Maharashtra’s most purposeful judicial infrastructure transformations.
History
The history of Nagpur dates back to ancient times, when the region was initially covered by thick forest known as Dandkaranya. The area was part of the Maurya Empire of the great Ashoka, was later ruled by the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Kalacuris, the early Chalukya Dynasty under Pulakesin II, the Rashtrakutas and later Chalukyas. Nagpur city was founded by Gond King Bhakta Buland Shah of Devgad on the bank of the river Nag — giving the city its name. After the Gond family, the Bhosale dynasty emerged prominently from 1600 AD, and later the city came under British influence as part of the Central Provinces.
The District Courts at Nagpur, including Civil Courts, were expanded progressively with buildings constructed from as early as 1866 right up to 1957 — a 91-year span of piecemeal judicial infrastructure development that resulted in courts scattered across different barracks and small structures. The average size of a court hall had reduced to barely 600 sq ft with a judge’s chamber of about 150 sq ft, with verandahs being used as public waiting areas. Magistrate Courts were located in small rooms with curtains used in corners as chambers. To address these inadequacies, the Government of Maharashtra decided in 1970 to have a single court building of adequate size. The actual work of the nine-storeyed building was started on February 19, 1971 at the hands of Justice S.P. Kotwal, the then Chief Justice of Maharashtra, in the Civil Lines area. The Nagpur High Court — established on January 9, 1936 — is also a significant institutional landmark in this judicial ecosystem.
Structure and Composition
| Dimension | Detail |
| City founded | By Gond King Bhakta Buland Shah — on the bank of river Nag |
| Historic judicial buildings | Built progressively 1866 to 1957 |
| Decision for new building | Maharashtra Government — 1970 |
| New building work commenced | February 19, 1971 — by CJ Justice S.P. Kotwal |
| New building structure | Ground + 8 upper floors = nine storeys |
| Location | Civil Lines area, Nagpur — surrounded by government offices |
| High Court Nagpur Bench | Established January 9, 1936 — first CJ Sir Gilbert Stone |
| High Court supervision | Bombay High Court — Nagpur Bench |
| MACT | Principal District and Sessions Judge as Chairman |
| Wakf Act jurisdiction | Principal DSJ — for Wakf property disputes |
| Prevention of Money Lending | Principal DSJ designated as Special Court |
| Digital services | eCourts — e-filing 3.0, video conferencing, case management |
| Family Court | Functioning separately — own administrative notifications |
Architecture — The Nine-Storeyed Civil Lines Building
The Nagpur District Court’s nine-storeyed building at Civil Lines was conceived as a response to the severe inadequacy of the previous infrastructure — where 600 sq ft court halls and curtain-partitioned chambers had reduced judicial dignity to its bare minimum. Construction commenced February 19, 1971, and the Civil Lines plot was selected for its ideal location — easily approachable from various parts of the city and surrounded by major government offices including All India Radio, the D.D.A. and P.T. Office, and the Collector and Commissioner offices. This strategic placement within Nagpur’s civic institutional cluster makes the court complex a natural part of the city’s administrative geography.
The Principal District and Sessions Judge serves multiple specialised jurisdictions — Chairman of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Special Court under the Prevention of Money Lending Act 2002, authority under the Wakf Act for Wakf property disputes, and head of the District Legal Services Authority. This concentration of specialised jurisdictions in the Principal DSJ reflects Nagpur’s role as Vidarbha’s judicial capital and a city where diverse legal needs require a district court with exceptionally broad institutional authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the origin of Nagpur city’s name?
A: Named after the river Nag on whose banks Gond King Bhakta Buland Shah founded the city.
Q: When was the construction of the new Nagpur District Court building started?
A: February 19, 1971 — by Justice S.P. Kotwal, the then Chief Justice of Maharashtra.
Q: How many storeys does the Nagpur District Court building have?
A: Nine storeys — ground plus eight upper floors.
Q: Why was the new building needed?
A: The earlier courts were housed in barracks and small structures built from 1866 to 1957, with court halls of barely 600 sq ft — inadequate for modern judicial functioning.
Q: Which High Court supervises the Nagpur District Court?
A: The Bombay High Court through its Nagpur Bench.
Q: When was the Nagpur High Court established?
A: January 9, 1936 — with Sir Gilbert Stone, a Judge of the Madras High Court, as its first Chief Justice.
Q: What special jurisdictions does the Principal DSJ at Nagpur exercise?
A: Chairmanship of MACT, Special Court under Prevention of Money Lending Act 2002, and authority under the Wakf Act for Wakf property disputes.
