Kolhapur will witness the inauguration of a Circuit Bench of the Bombay High Court on August 17.

The ceremony, scheduled for 3:30 pm, will be led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai.

The inaugural function will bring together Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Bombay High Court judge, Justice MS Karnik, as chief guests.

The ceremony will take place opposite Chhatrapati Pramilaraje Hospital at Dasera Chowk, followed by a public programme at Merry Weather Ground, Nagala Park.

For decades, litigants from Kolhapur and adjoining districts have had to make the long and costly journey to Mumbai to pursue their cases. The setting up of the circuit bench is expected to be a major step in improving access to justice for litigants in western Maharashtra.