Lawyers' access to refugees: HC asks TN to evolve mechanism

The Madras High Court has asked Tamil Nadu government to consider evolving a mechanism to ensure that advocates were able to meet refugees staying in special camps in the state.
The first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M Sathyanarayanan, made the observation while passing orders on a PIL by advocate P Pugalenthi who alleged he was denied permission to meet eight Sri Lankan refugees staying in a special camp in Tiruchirappalli.
"We call upon the authorities to deal with representation of Pugalenthi within 15 days. They may also examine the feasibility of instituting any standard institution or having a standardized procedure for the purpose," the bench said.

Pugalenthi submitted that he was denied permission to meet the refugees on October 20.
On October 25, he submitted a representation to the authorities seeking instructions to officers incharge of the special camps at Tiruchirappalli and Cheyyar to permit advocates to meet refugees, as is done in jails.