Advocates of North Andhra have formed a Joint Action Committee to spearhead an agitation for establishing permanent High Court in Visakhapatnam.
Lawyers of the District Court and rural and mofussil courts in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts on Tuesday boycotted courts to press their demand.
JAC chairman and Visakhapatnam Bar Association president Gorusu Maheswara Reddy told The Hindu that the temporary HC at Nelapadu near Amaravati was bereft of basic amenities, some of the important files shifted from Hyderabad were kept on the verandah for want of space.
“There is no transport facility to the litigant public and the legal fraternity. The building is about 25 to 30 km from Vijayawada and one has to go there in personal transport or engage a cab or an auto by paying an exorbitant amount,” he said.
Panel recommendation
The lawyers of North Andhra have been demanding a HC Bench since 1992. A strike was observed for a record three months in 1993. The Sivaramakrishnan Committee set up by the Centre had recommended location of the HC in Visakhapatnam.
The advocates, who initially insisted on HC in the city, later gave it up following the TDP government’s decision to establish it near Vijayawada. Later they wanted a HC Bench in the city.
After a general body meeting, the VBA resolved to revive the demand for permanent HC in the city. The JAC decided to represent to the Supreme Court, the Central and State governments and elected representatives to consider their demand.
“Our main contention is that Visakhapatnam is the ideal place for permanent HC due to location of Andhra University College of Law, Damodaram Sanjeevaiah National Law University, GITAM School of Law and other law colleges. The Vizag Bar has over 3,000 advocates, including 1,000 women members,” VBA general secretary Kondababu Akkaramana said.
‘Land not a problem’
He said there would not be a problem to shift the existing HC to the city as the construction of five-floor criminal court complex was on verge of completion.
“Vacant sites are also available at Adavivaram, Madhurawada and other places where a permanent building could be built with clear timelines. The location of the HC here will be convenient to the people across the State due to the excellent ecosystem in the largest commercial and industrial hub of the State,” he said.
