HC judge bats for lawyers on security issue

Justice C S Karnan of the Madras High Court today urged the Chief Justice of the Court to reconsider the stringent rules implemented in the court following CISF taking over its security.
In a letter to the CJ, he requested him to reconsider the 'very stringent rules and regulations' and repose faith in the advocates......'
CISF, which took over security at the High Court bench here and the principal seat in Chennai from November 16, has been frisking lawyers and searching their belongings, he said.
Justice Karnan stressed the need to protect the 'self-respect' and 'dignity' of these persons and said the advocates, being an educated class, become emotionally upset if rampant disregard was shown to them.

"Hence, any unprecedented treatment now shown to them can only bring about more revulsion and surely no retribution," he said.
Pointing out that some advocates are prospective judges, he stressed that they need to be given respect and unfettered freedom.

"I am of the firm conviction that all the learned advocates shouldering the Judges in their day-to-day affairs of the Court are given the laxity to act perfunctorily. Hence restraining them could lead to acts more macabre," he said.
The advocates are indeed the eyes of the court and should be considered accordingly since the Bar and the Bench share a fair amount of equanimity. An honest amount of give and take policy is the only solution for an acceptable amount of decorum and well being our Court," he said.

The HC had ordered CISF cover in the wake of recent incidents involving lawyers here and in Chennai, who barged into court halls and protested over certain issues.