Shivangi Prakash-
The Madras High Court on Wednesday instructed the Registrar (Administration) to look into ways to guarantee that the Court complex is kept green and clean at all times.
The Court was addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2017 that aimed to make the Court’s campus cleaner, more accessible, and litter-free.
Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee also promised the petitioner that he would also help clean up the Court’s campus.
“One Sunday, come with broomstick and bucket, I will also come and we will clean the High Court together … One of you meet the Registrar (Administration), he will take me out for a walk, and small issues that need to be addressed, we will address. All of this post Independence Day and provided that third wave is not there,” he orally remarked.
The Bench, which included Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, noted in its interim order today that the campus has recently appeared greener and cleaner, however, this has come at the expense of litigants and lawyers being kept out owing to the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave.
The Court then went on to note that the petitioner had made several comments on affidavits before the Court that could be implemented. In six weeks, the Registrar (Administration) was instructed to produce a report after evaluating this affidavit.
The petitioner also raised concerns about people with impairments, the elderly, and others not being able to access the Courts. In response, the Court requested the Registrar to check into the matter as well.
“Registrar (Administration) will also look into the access problems referred to by the petitioner particularly for persons with disabilities, elderly citizens and others who may be infirm. Better lift facilities may also be explored; particularly in small causes Court area. The Registrar may also indicate whether wheelchairs are available for persons with disabilities to move around in the same”, stated the order.
After the petitioner expressed worry over this, the Court suggested that ambulances be maintained on standby at the Courthouse.
“There may also be a need for more than one ambulance to be kept on the ready, since such emergency vehicle will cater to all present on the campus irrespective of status or position,” the Court said.
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