CHENNAI: A social activist on Friday pleaded with the Madras High court to direct all judicial and quasi-judicial Forums in the State to treat victims, witnesses and suspects with dignity by offering them a seat in the court halls.
Admitting the petition, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice TS Sivagnanam held that the issue will be looked into by the Registrar General of this Court and if required, necessary directions will be issued. The petitioner A Jaiganesh, Secretary, Satta Panchayat Iyakkam, submitted that citizens who are arraigned as accused and summoned by criminal Courts are denied a seat and forced to stand for hours together.
Jaiganesh cited an incident in the Chief Information Commissioner’s office, where his friend Siva Elango was arrested by police for allegedly occupying a seat in the forum.