‘Court’ing change of address

Chennai: The 6th and 13th metropolitan magistrate courts on Wednesday shifted from the heritage court complex at Egmore to a modern non-descript commercial complex at Moore Market.Through the day, truckloads of files and furniture travelled the 2-3 km distance, with officials busily setting up their workspaces at the Allikulam Commercial Complex.

"The shifting is being done with the help of PWD. All other courts such as the metropolitan judicial magistrate court and fast track court will be shifted to Moore Market complex in a phased manner before July 31," said an official at the VIth metropolitan magistrate court.

Work of the 6th and 13th courts commenced on Wednesday. “To help litigants, we have also put up prior notices and pasted notifications at Egmore court to guide people and ensure smooth functioning,” he said. “The entire cost of transportation involves a sum of nearly Rs13-15 lakh and will be done within the stipulated time,” S Chandan Babu, president, Egmore Advocates Association, said.

"There is no facility of lifts. We have to transport heavy cupboards upstairs to the second and the third floors by ourselves,” said a worker. With the court shifting here there is hope that facilities in the complex would improve, M.V. Gopal (62), a shopkeeper at the Allikulam Commercial Complex said.

But Shivaram, (31) a book owner, expressed worry saying, “A lot of students visit this place to buy books and study materials. Now, with the courts coming up they will definitely think twice before visiting this place. It might affect our business adversely. "