Members of the Bar Association in Vaniyambadi town near Tirupattur announced an indefinite boycott of proceedings in all three courts – Judicial Magistriate court, subordinate court and District Munisf court, demanding new modern court complex.
It comes in the wake of plastering of a dilapidated Judicial Magistrate court building that peeled off on Tuesday evening. No one was injured in the incident, which agitated advocates on the safety of people including litigants and court officials. “So far, we were worried about the distance of travelling from one court to another in the town. Dilapidated court buildings should be demolished and a new combined court complex should be built,” said A.C. Devakumar, president, Bar Association (Vaniyambadi).
“Indefinite boycott of courts will only add burden to litigants, who have to travel long distances to attend court proceedings. Alternative ways to build new court buildings should be explored rather than staying away from courts,” said B. Pari, a litigant.
The existing Judicial Magistrate Court is at Government Estate since the 1920s when it was formed. The District Munisf court was formed in 1995 and functioning from a rented room in the Government Commercial Tax building. The subordinate court that was created in 2009 is also operating from a rented room in the town.
Every day, on an average, more than 150 litigants mostly from Vaniyambadi taluk that comprises 45 villages visit these courts. Around 75 advocates are working as regular practitioners. On an average, over 100 cases come up at each court every day. Currently, 1,500 – 2,000 cases are pending before each of these three courts for many years.
Each court has been divided into small rooms that house the judge’s chambers, record room and court halls. Most of the rooms are poorly lit and the ceilings at the structure are flaking off due to weathering over the years.
Published – March 26, 2025 11:11 pm IST
