Kerala Approves Judicial City in Kochi to Modernize Justice System
Kerala approves Judicial City in Kochi and key reform bills in governance and education.
In a landmark decision, the Kerala state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has granted in-principle approval for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Judicial City on 27 acres of land in Kalamassery, Kochi. The ambitious project, set to acquire land from Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Limited, aims to revolutionize the state’s judicial infrastructure by addressing overcrowding at the existing Kerala High Court in Ernakulam and consolidating key legal institutions into a modern hub.
The Judicial City, envisioned as a 28-lakh-square-foot complex, will house an expanded High Court with up to 60 court halls to accommodate Kerala’s burgeoning caseload, which exceeds 2 lakh cases annually. The facility will also include the Kerala Judicial Academy for training judges, a Mediation Centre to promote alternative dispute resolution, judges’ residences, lawyers’ chambers, staff quarters, and the Advocate General’s office. Plans also explore integrating international legal institutions to foster research and global collaboration. The choice of Kalamassery, strategically located near major highways, the Kochi International Airport, and public transport, ensures accessibility for litigants and legal professionals statewide.
The Home Department has been tasked with spearheading preliminary steps, including land acquisition, environmental assessments, and securing central funding through schemes like the Ministry of Law and Justice’s infrastructure grants. A high-level committee, comprising five High Court judges—Justices A. Muhammed Mushtaque, A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar, A. Raja Vijayaraghavan, Satish Ninan, and Bechu Kurian Thomas—will oversee project execution, building on discussions initiated in 2024 with then-Chief Justice A.J. Desai. While the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association initially raised concerns about relocation logistics, recent engagements suggest growing support for the project’s potential to enhance judicial efficiency over its projected 10–15-year timeline.
Also Read: Successful Heart Transplant Gives Teenager a New Lease on Life
In parallel, the cabinet approved the draft Kerala Public Service Right Bill 2025, a significant reform of the 2012 Right to Public Services Act. Crafted by the Kerala Law Reforms Commission, the bill introduces stricter accountability measures, including fines up to ₹10,000 for officials delaying or denying services without cause, and mandates e-governance platforms for seamless service delivery. Covering services like certificate issuance and welfare benefits, the bill empowers local self-government institutions to adopt digital tools and establishes public monitoring portals to address grievances. Set for stakeholder consultation, it is slated for the next legislative session, promising a leap toward transparent governance.
The cabinet also endorsed amendments to Kerala’s University Acts, introducing provisions to streamline syndicate meetings across institutions like Kerala University, Calicut University, and Mahatma Gandhi University. Recommended by the Kerala State University Law Reforms Commission, the changes allow the pro-chancellor (typically the higher education minister) to chair meetings in the chancellor’s (Governor’s) absence, expedite statutory body reconstitutions, and shift tasks like degree certificate approvals to syndicates for efficiency. With syndicate sizes capped at 18 members and increased academic representation, the reforms aim to reduce bureaucratic delays and political interference, though groups like the Save University Campaign Committee have raised concerns about registrar empowerment in elections.
Additionally, the cabinet appointed members to the State Food Commission, aligning with the National Food Safety Act, 2013, and Kerala State Food Safety Rules, 2018. This body will strengthen oversight of ration distribution, nutritional programs, and food safety compliance, ensuring equitable access for Kerala’s 3.5 crore residents, particularly marginalized communities.
These decisions reflect Kerala’s commitment to systemic reforms in justice, public administration, and education amid fiscal challenges. The Judicial City, alongside the legislative drafts, positions the state as a pioneer in institutional modernization, with further updates on funding and timelines expected soon.
