As soon as the government receives permission from the Forest Department, work will begin on the new criminal court block at the integrated court complex, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said.
In addition to this, a welfare fund for aged lawyers will be set up as well as a stipend of Rs. 2000 per month will be provided to young lawyers, he announced at the inauguration of the common facilities block at the integrated court complex here on Sunday.
Referring to the recent spat between the judges and lawyers, Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, Satish K. Agnihotri said, in recent times there have been some aberrations in the relationship between the Bench and the Bar across the country. The two needs to act as co-partners to ensure proper administration of justice, but this has not been happening.
The members of the Bar need to realise that they are not in this profession to make money and that they are providing a service to the people. Many members of the Bar think that by using force or shouting, they can get an order that is not legal, but any judge who will give such an order does not deserve to be in the judicial system. If a judge succumbs to such pressure, he or she can be suspended since they have taken an oath to uphold justice and the constitution.
A good relationship between the Bench and the Bar is extremely important to ensure proper dispensation of justice, he said.
In response to a request to start a Bench of the Madras High Court in Puducherry, he said, while every State is entitled to a High Court, a Union Territory is not. If there is an increase in number of cases, then it can be considered. Till then, the Puducherry courts will have to prove that they have quality judges, lawyers and a quality justice system, he said.
On the issue of lawyers boycotting court, said, 220 days of functioning of the court is compulsory and boycott of the court should be a rare occurrence.
New common facilities blockOn Sunday, the new common facilities block, which will house the mediation centre, legal aid centre, canteen and post office, was launched. The building was constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.80 crore.
Portfolio Judge for Puducherry and Executive Chairman of the Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority Chitra Venkatraman; Judge of the Madras High Court K.K. Sasidharan; Chief Secretary Chetan B. Sanghi; Public Works Secretary P.R. Meena; and Law Secretary G. Ragesh Chandra; were present at the inauguration.
