Lawyers should conduct themselves to upkeep the decorum of the court, help judges deliver speedy justice and win confidence of litigants, said Madras High Court Judge R.S. Ramanathan.
Laying foundation stone for combined court buildings and judicial officers’ quarters here on Saturday, he said that their recent activities in Dindigul was disgraceful. The court was the temple and judges were its deities. But mere temple structure and installation of deity would not ensure sanctity. The ‘archakars’ (lawyers) and other workers in the temple should discharge their duties efficiently and help the devotees (public) get their wish fulfilled. Only then the sanctity of the ‘temple’ could be maintained, he said.
Another High Court Judge V.M. Velumani said that judiciary and bar were two eyes of the judicial system. Lawyers should be trouble-shooters and solve problems of litigants expeditiously, he said.
Minister for Law S.P. Velumani said that the State government had allotted Rs.178.21 crore for construction of combined court buildings and district court buildings in more than 10 districts. It had been pressing the Centre to make Tamil an official language in the High Court, he said.
Minister for Power R. Viswanathan appealed for sanctioning a building for the Natham court.
Public Works Department Executive Engineer M. Venkataraman said that Rs.31.84 crore for combined court buildings and Rs.5.25 crore for judicial officers’ quarters had been granted. The ground floor would have six courts, judges’ chambers, record rooms, stamp vendor and police lock-up. The first floor would have offices for six courts, computer room and prosecutors, the second floor will house five courts, the third floor will have six courts, hall for conducting orientation programmes and the fourth floor will have offices, meeting hall, bar association, video conference room and library.
Two blocks each comprising six houses and one house for principal district judge would be constructed.
Principal District Judge R. Pongiappan, Chief Judicial Magistrate B. Rajavelu and Collector T.N. Hariharan spoke.
