PMK Advocate K Balu Urges Tamil Nadu Government to Establish Madras High Court Circuit Bench in Coimbatore
In a significant development, PMK advocate K Balu has made a strong appeal to the Tamil Nadu state government to establish a circuit bench of the Madras High Court in Coimbatore. This call to action was made during a press conference held at the district combined court complex in Coimbatore on Friday, where Balu highlighted the severe logistical and financial hardships faced by residents of the western districts who are currently forced to travel to Chennai for legal proceedings.
Addressing Judicial Vacancies and Case Backlogs
During his address, Balu welcomed the recent recommendation of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari as the next Chief Justice of the Madras High Court. However, he pointed out a critical issue plaguing the judiciary: there are currently 25 judge posts vacant in the high court, with 24 recommended names still awaiting government approval. This shortage is particularly acute in the Madurai bench, which is experiencing a severe lack of judges, leading to a substantial backlog of cases.
"Filling these vacancies is absolutely necessary to reduce pendency across the state," Balu emphasized, underscoring the urgency of the situation. He argued that without adequate judicial staffing, the efficiency of the legal system is compromised, affecting timely justice delivery.
Logistical Challenges for Western District Residents
Balu detailed the specific difficulties encountered by people from Coimbatore, Tirupur, Karur, and the Nilgiris. These residents must undertake long and costly journeys to Chennai for court matters, creating significant barriers to accessing justice. "The logistical and financial burden on these individuals is immense, and it is high time we address this disparity," he stated.
To bolster his argument, Balu cited examples from other Indian states:
- Maharashtra operates four high court benches.
- Andhra Pradesh has three benches.
- Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal each maintain two benches.
Planned Petitions and Broader Judicial Reforms
In response to these challenges, Balu announced that the bar council intends to petition relevant authorities, including high court judges and the President of India, to garner support for establishing a Coimbatore bench. This move aims to decentralize judicial services and improve accessibility for the western region.
Additionally, Balu touched upon the ongoing transition to new national criminal laws, such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He noted that lawyers and judges are currently navigating a difficult adjustment period, requiring a robust understanding of both the new statutes and the earlier laws to ensure fair arguments and judgments. This transition underscores the need for continuous legal education and support within the judiciary.
Election Promises and Advocate Welfare
As a candidate in the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry bar council elections, Balu outlined his key campaign promises:
- Immediate implementation of a law to protect lawyers from physical attacks and malicious inclusion in police cases.
- Increasing the welfare fund for young advocates to 25 lakh rupees to support their professional development and well-being.
Overall, Balu's advocacy for a Coimbatore circuit bench is part of a broader push for judicial reforms in Tamil Nadu, aiming to reduce case backlogs, improve access to justice, and support the legal community through structural and welfare enhancements.
