Heavy rush, parking woes as district court reopens in Nagpur

Vaibhav Ganjapure | TNN | Updated: Jun 9, 2020, 13:38 IST

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NAGPUR: The first day of court’s reopening post-Covid lockdown proved troublesome for the lawyer community. Many complained of serpentine queues at the entrance of district and sessions court building in Civil Lines.
“We were made to wait for a long time in scorching heat, as they were checking everyone with thermal gun. Even the sitting arrangements were inadequate near the courtrooms, and we were made to stand outside till our case came up for hearing,” lawyers said.
Many faced parking problems, as vehicles crowded the already crammed space in morning hours. “It was difficult to find space for parking. There were long queues not only at the entrance, but also in front of the lifts, which made matters difficult. We apprised the District Bar Association (DBA) members of this, who said they would talk to principal district judge,” lawyer Rafiq Akbai said.
Countering the lawyers’ claims, DBA president Kamal Satuja said some lawyers may have faced problems as bar rooms weren’t allowed to open where lawyers usually sit till their cases come up for hearing in court. “We would be submitting a representation to the principal judge, requesting him to open the bar rooms. The lawyers need to sit there and study the cases for taking notes, as courts are now operating in two shifts,” he told TOI.
The DBA chief added that ample parking space was made available to the lawyers and they had made provision for two thermal guns at the entrance, so that visitors do not have to stand in queues for a long time.
As the district courts restarted from Monday, only urgent matters were taken up for hearing. The court is currently operating in two shifts — from 10am to 1.30pm, and from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
“About 10-11 courts worked and took up urgent matters. In the first session, cases of small causes and motor accident claims tribunal (MACT) were taken up. In the second session, junior and senior division judges, along with judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) worked,” Satuja said.