Move for High Court bench at Kurnool gains momentum

Kurnool:Amid protests by advocates against the proposed shifting of legal bodies like Lokayukta and AP State Human Rights’ Commission (APSHRC) from Kurnool to Amaravati, a letter from the law secretary of the state to registrar general of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, dated October 28, has gone viral on social media.

The letter requests the registrar general to follow up with Government of India regarding the establishment of an AP High Court bench in Kurnool.

The demand for such a bench in Kurnool stems from lack of proper conveyance between Kurnool and Amaravati. While the previous government temporarily appeased local sentiments by shifting some legal bodies from Vijayawada and Hyderabad to Kurnool, the larger demand for a High Court bench remained unaddressed.

On November 14, the government's advocate informed the High Court on the planned relocation of institutions like Lokayukta and APSHRC to Amaravati. The announcement sparked widespread dissatisfaction, prompting local advocates to boycott court activities from November 19, despite industries minister T.G. Bharath's reassurances that no such proposals exist.

Advocates countered, citing the government advocate's statement as the basis for their ongoing protests.

The letter dated October 28 that has gone viral on social media states that as per the Chief Minister's assurance during the "Praja Galam" programme, action needs to be taken to establish a High Court bench at Kurnool. It points out that there are similar arrangements in other states, where high courts have benches in different locations to enhance accessibility to people. Their examples include Madras High Court’s bench at Madurai, Bombay High Court’s benches at Nagpur and Aurangabad, and the Guwahati High Court's multiple benches in north-eastern states.

Rayalaseema, with a population of 1.59 crore, accounts for over 25 per cent of AP's population. The state government argues that absence of direct train services between Kurnool and Vijayawada and the significant share of High Court cases originating from the region justify the creation of a bench. The letter, signed by law secretary V. Sunitha, highlighted these points while underscoring the need for the Chief Justice of the High Court to approve the proposal and for the High Court to pursue the matter with the Government of India.

The agitating advocates have welcomed the state government's move. But they have vowed to continue their agitation against the proposed relocation of legal institutions to Amaravati. Senior advocates Jayaraju and Balaram emphasised their commitment to the cause, stating that their movement will persist until the government officially announces its decision to establish the bench and ensure retention of the existing legal bodies in Kurnool.

Jayaraju and Balaram questioned why the government had not released the letter earlier, especially when there has been a longstanding demand for establishment of the High Court bench in Kurnool.