Question

Bombay High Court territorial jurisdiction does not extend to:

• A. Maharashtra
• B. Dadar & Nagar Haveli
• C. Lakshadweep
• D. Goa, Daman & Diu

Hint:

Keep these neighboring High Court allocations in mind for quick recall: - Bombay High Court $\rightarrow$ Maharashtra + Goa + Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. - Kerala High Court $\rightarrow$ Kerala + Lakshadweep.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: While Article 214 of the Constitution of India mandates that there shall be a High Court for each State, Article 231 grants Parliament the legislative authority to establish a common High Court for two or more States, or for two or more States and a Union Territory. The Bombay High Court is one of the oldest and largest common High Courts in India, tracking back to its charter in 1862.

Step 1:
Let us review the exact territorial jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court as configured by various reorganization acts over time:

• It has principal jurisdiction over the entire state of

Maharashtra.

• Its jurisdiction extends over the state of

Goa (established via the High Court of Bombay at Panaji Bench).

• It exercises jurisdiction over the unified Union Territory of

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
To effectively serve this vast jurisdiction, the Bombay High Court maintains its principal seat in Mumbai, along with permanent benches located at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.

Step 2:
Now, let us examine the administrative and judicial setup of Lakshadweep:

• Lakshadweep is an island Union Territory located off the southwestern coast of mainland India in the Arabian Sea.

• Under the specific statutory provisions of the High Court Extention of Jurisdiction Act, the judicial control and territorial jurisdiction over Lakshadweep is officially vested in the Kerala High Court, which is headquartered in Ernakulam, Kochi.
Since the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court does not extend to Lakshadweep, option (C) is the correct choice.