Chennai seeks Supreme Court bench for access to justice
If consensus is arrived between president and the Supreme Court, a bench can be set up
Chennai: The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a petition seeking the setting up of a separate bench at Chennai for easy accessibility of justice for citizens from the southern states. A three-judge bench of Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and justices Arun Kumar Mishra and Amitava Roy is scheduled to consider the PIL filed by advocate A.M. Krishna for the circuit bench of the apex court on the ground that reports of the Law Commission and Parliamentary standing committees have favoured it.
The petition sought the court's direction to the Centre “to initiate immediate steps in setting up a Supreme Court bench at Chennai”, adding that it was very expensive for litigants coming from distant places like Tamil Nadu and other far-flung states. The idea has many supporters in Tamil Nadu.
Supporting the establishment of Supreme Court Bench in south India, President, Madras high court Advocates' Association, R.C. Paul Kanagaraj said that a large number of litigants who lose their legal battles in the high courts in the respective states are unable to travel to New Delhi to file appeals.
“A large number of litigants lose their hard earned money fighting in trial courts and high courts,” Kanagaraj said. “Considering that many persons who were awarded sentences do get acquitted in the Supreme Court, they should have better access to it. The authorities will ensure justice reaches the poor and common man up to Kanyakumari, if the Bench is set up in Chennai.”
Many say that there were apprehensions before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High court was established. However, after the setting up of the Bench, people were seen benefiting from its functioning.
Advocate V. Vasanthakumar, said as per Article 130 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.
If consensus is arrived between the president and the Supreme Court, a Bench can be set up in any part of south India. However, there are those who are not in favour of such a move. K. Krishnamurthy, advocate on record in Supreme Court, said: “There should be only one Supreme Court for the country. This will ensure integrity, dignity and unity among the people.”