Members of Rameswaram Advocates’ Association on Monday launched a relay fast in front of the Judicial Magistrate Court here on Monday, demanding transfer of Judicial Magistrate G.N. Saravanakumar.
Led by association secretary K. Ramamoorthy, about 22 advocates observed fast even as the Magistrate conducted the proceedings with the help of court staff. Seven advocates, including Mr. Ramamoorthy and association executive members R. Dominic Ravi and K. Mayilsamy, began an indefinite fast, while the others were on relay fast.
On March 17, a section of advocates, led by association president R. Jothimurugan, locked up the Magistrate and court staff inside the court hall and staged a demonstration, protesting against the style of functioning of the Magistrate.
Mr. Ramamoorthy said when the panel lawyers boycotted the Lok Adalat, the Magistrate went ahead and conducted the Adalat on March 14 with the help of a lawyer, who had been debarred by the Bar Council of India.
He said complaints were sent to Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, the Registrar and Principal District Judge against the Magistrate, but no action was taken. Meanwhile, the Madurai Bench of the Madras high Court had initiated contempt of court proceedings against him and three other advocates, he said. They were directed to appear before the court on June 2 in connection with the contempt of court case, he said, and demanded that the case be dropped.
