Govt pushes for mobile courts, lawyers launch protest

CASE ON WHEELS: Unless lawyers come around, mobile courts are likely to continue to create more problems than they solve.

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Hoshiarpur (Punjab): It was meant to be a radical judicial innovation which would clear case backlogs and provide speedy justice in remote areas.

But less than three weeks after they were launched, mobile courts in Punjab are yet to take off.

In Dasuya in Hoshiarpur, lawyers are on strike against the courts - claiming that it raises costs for them and their clients.

“No judicial decision can be taken without the participation of the lawyers. A decorum is required for lawyers participation. Since the beginning, from the court room to lawyers chamber all are a problem,” says lawyer Gurnam Singh.

Some litigants complain that they will now have to pay higher fees to their lawyers to cover transport charges.

“Lawyers will be costly. It’s total harassment and regular court was easy to access me,” says Tara Singh.

“Some lawyers have two or more cases in court on the same date. So the lawyer will either leave the mobile court case or the one at the local court. Under such a condition, lawyers can charge more to come to mobile court,” says litigant Surinder Sharma.

There are some who welcome the innovation. “Now we shall be able to get quick decisions and justice. We are thankful to the government,” says Balwant Singh.

But unless the lawyers come around, mobile courts are likely to continue to create more problems than they solve.

(With inputs from Neha Seth)