Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal inaugurated the world’s largest moot court, Nyāyābhyāsa Mandapam – The Grand Moot Court, at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), Sonipat. They also launched IMAANDAAR, the International Mooting Academy, in the presence of over 200 judges and jurists from India and abroad. A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the occasion.

The Chief Justice also opened the International Convention on The Independence of Judiciary: Comparative Perspectives on Rights, Institutions and Citizens. The two-day event brought together 26 sitting and former judges of the Supreme Court of India, including the CJI in two separate 13-judge benches, as well as former Chief Justices of India, High Court judges, international jurists, parliamentarians, senior advocates and academicians.

Addressing the gathering, CJI Surya Kant said the Basic Structure doctrine had enabled the Constitution to evolve while preserving its core principles. He noted emerging constitutional questions relating to privacy, artificial intelligence and climate, emphasising that constitutional changes must uphold dignity, equity, liberty, equality and fraternity.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the government was working to strengthen legal infrastructure through initiatives such as the e-Courts project and AI-driven tools. He underlined the need for constitutional faith and recalled Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s articulation of justice as a balance of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Messages of appreciation from the President, Vice President and Prime Minister were read at the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of mentoring young people in constitutional values and ensuring “ease of justice” for all citizens.

JGU Chancellor and Member of Parliament Naveen Jindal said judicial independence derives strength from public trust and called for procedural reforms and wider adoption of mediation, ADR and technology. Vice Chancellor C. Raj Kumar described the occasion as a recognition of the role of universities in strengthening the rule of law and access to justice.

The event featured a historic enactment of the Kesavananda Bharati case by Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocates Abhishek M. Singhvi and Sidharth Luthra, followed by reflections from a 13-judge Bench of the Supreme Court.

On the second day, another 13-judge Bench comprising sitting and former Supreme Court judges presided over mock proceedings performed by Jindal Global Law School students. The programme also included lectures on the evolution of the Supreme Court of India and the jurisprudence of the Kesavananda Bharati case.

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