Lawyers should not boycott courts as it would ultimately affect already suffering litigant public. Such acts will bring nothing to them but ill reputation to this noble profession. The twin objectives of ideal judicial system were securing inexpensive justice and speedy justice to litigants, said Elipe Dharma Rao, acting Chief Justice, The High Court.
Inaugurating Judicial Magistrate Court at Oddanchatram near here on Tuesday, he said lawyers should strive hard to bring back the glory of this profession that had been declining. Strikes and boycotts by advocates were held to be illegal by upper forum of law. Moreover, advocates had no right to stall court proceedings on the ground that they had decided to strike or boycott courts, he noted.
Intellectual and moral process of evolution of law and administration of justice could not have taken place without the vibrant role of advocates. Their cooperation was indispensable.
ADVERTISEMENT
A total of 3,978 working hours had been wasted because of lawyers' boycott since January 2010. Thiruvallur district topped the list with 64-day boycott, followed by Madurai with 51 days, Thiruvannamalai 45 days, Dharmapuri 38 days, Sivaganga, Thiruchi and Thoothukudi with 34 days each and Dindigul 17 days.
“If this trend continues, it will be difficult to clear backlogs. Lawyers should not waste even a single minute of justice delivery system.”
Over 250 proposals, including medical reimbursement of staff, filling of vacancies in the High Court, setting up of courts and improvements to the HC buildings were still pending for a long time with no fruitful action, he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Expressing disgust over poor initiatives in clearing proposals, Mr. Rao said erstwhile Secretary to the Home Department had not taken any initiative to clear the proposals from the High Court. Now, things had changed with a change in Secretary, he said.
The High Court Judge R. Sudhakar said: “Pending of 1,610 criminal cases, 114 other cases and 1,756 FIRs tempted me to sanction the court to Oddanchatram. Moreover, eight police stations came under this court.”
He appealed to lawyers to settle their dispute legally and not to boycott courts. The police and lawyers should work together for speedy disposal of pending cases.
Revenue Minister I. Periasamy said that 6.5 acres of land for construction of district combined court complex will be finalised soon. Collector M. Vallalar said administration would extend all assistance to judiciary in developing infrastructure. Government Chief Whip R. Chakkarapani sought to construct own building for the magistrate court.