KOCHI: Various lawyers’ unions have called for steps to improve the standard of courts and court complexes across the State.
Though 27 temporary magistrate courts have started functioning in Kerala, the State Government has not taken any step to ensure that the courts have proper infrastructure facilities and qualified magistrates. Of the 27 temporary courts functioning in the State, 17 are in the Ernakulam district.
The Bharatheeya Abhibhashaka Parishad will stage a standing agitation at the Ernakulam District Court Complex on Tuesday, in protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities.
The Parishad alleged that the temporary courts were not constituted in a scientific way as no proper study was conducted prior to setting up them.
The All-India Lawyers Union (AILU) also alleged that despite `5,000 crore was allotted for setting up and operating the courts, the government had failed to take into account the need for lawyers who function as two sides of the same coin, along with the magistrates. “The government has not spent a single penny for the welfare of advocates. No academy or advocate chamber has been constituted,” they alleged.
Many of the temporary courts have been set up in inaccessible areas. Of the 27 temporary courts, three have been set up for dealing with cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act (NI Act). Though it is directed that such courts be set up at district centres, the three courts have been set up at Palluruthy, which is far away from the centre of the city.
The unions also alleged that the courts were set up in rental buildings that do not have sufficient infrastructure facilities. The temporary court at Piravom is functioning on the ground floor of a building located above a market place, with an outlet of the Beverages Corporation functioning on the first floor.
“Since the courts have been set up in rented buildings, they do not have facilities like Bar Association hall. Such conditions are detrimental for advocates as well as the general public,” said District Secretary K K Nasser.
Meanwhile, the All-India Lawyers Union stated that injustice was being meted out through the temporary courts as cases were being handled by unqualified persons.
“The All-India Lawyers Union is not against setting up additional courts, as it would be a boon to the public. However, dedicated and qualified judicial offices should be appointed in these courts. The new court complexes do not have sufficient space for accommodating lawyers and defendants. So, infrastructure should be developed at these courts,” said the union leaders.
