While granting two weeks to enable the State government to provide all infrastructural facilities in the George Town Court here, the Madras High Court on Monday constituted a three-member committee to consider and discuss pending proposals and actual requirements of all courts in the State.
Passing further orders on a suo motu petition, a Bench comprising Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justices P.Jyothimani and T.S.Sivagnanam said as suggested by Additional Advocate-General P.Wilson, the committee was being set up. It would consist of the Registrar-General, the Home Secretary and the Chief Engineer (Buildings), PWD. After discussion, the panel would submit a detailed report to the court regarding the requirements in each district. The Chief Justice inspected the G.T. courts on Friday and noted certain deficiencies.
Complying with the earlier court order, the Chief Engineer filed an affidavit along with the inspection report accepting the horrible condition of the George Town court and giving details of the requirements. In the affidavit, it was stated that furniture, drinking water, toilet facilities, prisoners' room with toilet may be provided within two weeks.
In the affidavit, the Home Secretary said the Tamil Nadu government was always willing to provide infrastructure, including construction of court buildings, as and when required. High priority would be given to judiciary's needs.
In his order on Monday, the Bench observed, “There is no dispute that the Government of Tamil Nadu is doing a lot for the welfare of the common people. But, it is made clear that whatever observations made by us are not intended to find fault with any of the schemes of the government, rather our anxiety is that the government should also give special attention for providing infrastructural facilities to the judiciary.”
The Bench recorded its appreciation for the government for agreeing to provide all the required things to the George Town court for the present within two weeks and also in the other courts in the State. As regards disposal of property dumped in the property rooms of the G.T. court and all other similar courts, the Bench directed the Principal District Judges in all districts to take steps to dispose or destroy all those property after compliance of the mandate under the Cr.P.C.
The Bench said as per the list furnished by the authorities, it was permitting them to proceed further in the matter and implement the report forthwith. It made it clear that in the event of TANSI, approved supplier of the government, is not able to supply the required furniture within the stipulated time, the government is at liberty to purchase from any of its sources.
After two weeks, the matter would be taken up regarding infrastructural facilities required for other courts.
The case has been posted for February 28.
