The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Lawyers hold marathon discussion on Madurai Bench jurisdiction

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Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Lawyers hold marathon discussion on Madurai Bench jurisdiction

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 14. Belying initial apprehensions of unpleasant incidents involving advocates from Chennai and southern districts, discussions on the territorial jurisdiction of the Permanent Bench of the Madras High Court in Madurai concluded on a peaceful note today.

At the end of the nearly 10-hour exercise, held in two sittings, the Chief Justice, B. Subhashan Reddy, who heads a nine-judge panel, constituted, following a direction from the Chief Justice of India, expressed satisfaction over the "peaceful and dignified manner" in which the proceedings were held. He, however, said it was not possible to say when the committee's decision/report would be known. "It may take a lot of time and effort to form an opinion on the issue."

Mr. Justice Reddy, nevertheless, talked about "minor aberrations" of lawyers from southern districts using inappropriate language or questioning the very need for the exercise. When, a woman lawyer, for the second time, wondered whether the discussion was required at all as a presidential order had been issued, Mr. Reddy said the meeting was convened on a direction from the Chief Justice of India. While the participants were free to air their views on the territorial jurisdiction of the Bench or the cases/types of cases transferred to the new Bench, they were not expected to question the exercise, he said. On another occasion, he asked a Madurai Bar Association office-bearer to mind his language when the lawyer talked about advocates turning into "blackmailers." Another young lawyer was asked to return to his seat after he raised irrelevant issues.

A senior advocate belonging to one of the "seven disputed districts," put it bluntly when he said four districts — Thanjavur, Tiruchi, Pudukottai and Karur — preferred to go with the new Bench, and asked the Chennai advocates "to make money" with the three remaining districts — Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Perambalur. Many of participants, including advocate R. Vaigai, highlighted the need for the advocate fraternity to stay united and sort out the imbroglio amicably.

They cautioned advocates against being seen as fighting a turf war. Ms. Vaigai pointed out that no public organisation of women, traders and service forum opposed a Permanent Bench in Madurai and said the people's need and convenience should prevail over that of advocates and judges. "We cannot say the move is fallacious, illegal and unconstitutional."

The Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA) secretary, C.T. Mohan, reiterated that the issue was about the status of the Bench and the territory ceded to it.

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