Judgment passed in a Fast Track Mahila Court is all powerful. Do not underestimate its judgment. The main objective is to ensure speedy justice to women, said the Madras High Court Judge, S. Palanivelu.
Inaugurating a Fast Track Mahila Court, first of its kind in the State, he said that of the 22 fast track Mahila courts sanctioned, Dindigul got the first one.
In the Sangam period, women were on a par with men in education and knowledge. Now, opportunity was given in phases to women to express their ambitions, aims, desires and likes. The law does now show any partiality between men and women. It has been ensuring equality and protection to both men and women. It has not provided any special concession for men to offer any special status to men.
But, Section 15 (3) of the Constitution permitted execution of special acts favourable to women, he pointed out. Already, Mahila Courts have been functioning in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chengleput and Pudukottai.
About 1,258 cases were transferred to these courts for speedy disposal, the Judge added.
Guest house
In his special address, Law Minister K.P. Munusamy said that a guest house comprising 30 air-conditioned rooms would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.3 crore in Chennai to enable district judges to stay during their visit to Chennai.
A sum of Rs.92.15 lakh had been sanctioned to give laptops to 167 judges. The State government had allotted Rs.695 crore for infrastructure development of courts. A total of 105 courts had been formed and 167 judges were posted recently, he added.
Minister for Power R. Viswanathan said the main aim of establishing special courts was to render speedy justice.
Principal District Judge V. Balasundarakumar said Fast Track Mahila Court will hear cases relating to sexual harassment and violence against women.
Collector N. Venkatachalam said the FTMC was the need of the hour as crimes against women and children were on the rise.
Earlier, bar members appealed to the ministers to sanction funds for constructing combined court complex at the Collectorate. Already, the district administration had given 10 acres of land for this purpose.
Ninety-three women related cases will be heard in the Fast Track Mahila Court.
Judge N. Sivakumar assumed office as the first judge for the new court. He had been transferred from Chennai.
