HC moots panel to eradicate problems caused by section of

Madras High Court today proposed a committee headed by one of its retired judges to eradicate the problems that arise in the Magistrate courts in the city due to indiscipline among a section of lawyers.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam made the proposal during the hearing of a petition by three persons about an incident of assault and abuse of them allegedly by a group of advocates in front of a Magistrate in the Egmore Court complex here in September 2011.
The bench proposed to Constitute a committee headed by a retired Judge of the high court with the members of the Bar, Police, Judicial officers and with the representatives of citizens.

It also suggested proximity card for lawyers both in Egmore and other courts, installing CCTV cameras and regulating time for use of chambers and related facilities in court premises.
The court took into account a counter affidavit filed by then Chennai Commissioner of Police J.K. Tripathy in 2011 and said despite an endeavor to work out preventive measures, the situation, which was faced in 2011, had not been eradicated even after four years down the line.
The counter said some advocates in Egmore court complex "abused, assaulted and threatened magistrates, high court advocates, office assistants, clients and police personnel."

Creating an environment for the subordinate judiciary to work unhindered by pressures was the objective, the court said.

On its part, the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry said it would formulate its own procedures the take action against such advocates, and inform the court.
The bench then adjourned the matter to September 2 for further proceedings.