Nilgiris District Bar Association to continue boycott of court proceedings

UDHAGAMANADALAM: Members of the Nilgiri District Bar Association (NDBA) on Friday decided to continue their boycott of court proceedings indefinitely as there is no response from court authorities to their demands.

The lawyers have been boycotting court proceedings since Dec 3, demanding improved infrastructure for e-filing related to judicial processes. A press release issued by NDBA on Dec 3 had announced that the boycott would continue till Dec 12. However, Vijayan, director, People’s Legal Forum, Tamil Nadu Chapter, and a member of the NDBA, stated, “As we have not seen any response from the court authorities, we will continue our boycott of court proceedings indefinitely.”He said, “Firstly, the internet connectivity in the court complex and other sub-courts in the district is very poor due to the hilly terrain. Additionally, we need more efficient and sufficient staff members in the court to facilitate the e-filing process.”NDBA secretary Jayanthi said, “We will be able to determine the next steps only after a review meeting scheduled for Monday.”On Dec 8, members of the NDBA staged a protest in front of the district court complex in Ooty. “The legal community is struggling with the mandatory e-filing system implemented by the court authorities. For any independent litigant wanting to pursue their own case, the e-filing system is a struggle and a challenge,” said Vijayan. He added, “Any new system introduced should support the existing system and be user-friendly.

”Courts in the Nilgiris are rescheduling cases as lawyers are boycotting proceedings.