High Court directs State to file compliance reports

Pune: The Bombay HC on Thursday directed the State government to submit a compliance report within three months about the steps being taken for setting up 1,200 new courts. The order came on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by city-based RTI activist Vihar Durve. 

Adv Sandeep Jalan, who is representing Durve pro-bono in the case, told Sakal Times, “The HC bench had earlier given various directions. Now the HC has ordered the State government to file compliance report for the steps being taken regarding setting up of new courts.”

The matter is being heard before the bench comprising Justice AS Oka and Justice MS Sonak. Lakhs of cases are pending due to paucity of judges and courts, which has remained the same over the last several decades. 

The petitioner has prayed for setting up of new courts including special courts to deal with cases of sexual abuse of children and women, besides increasing the number of family courts. He has also asked for setting up special courts for dealing with matters of senior citizens and disabled persons.