Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 5: A well-equipped court building, constructed at a cost of Rs 6.6 crore, is ready to serve the people of Moodbidri revenue division, which is waiting to get taluk status. With this, the town has earned the distinction of being the first ever revenue division in the state to have its own court complex. This well-equipped building has come up by the side of the existing veterinary hospital here, where the courts of the civil judge, and also the first class judicial magistrate will begin to serve the people soon.
Out of the total investment of Rs 6.6 crore, a sum of four crore rupees had been earmarked for this building in the budget for the year 2010-11. This amount was meant for construction of ground and first floors of the building, besides electrical fittings and Rs 25 lac for furniture. An additional sum of two crore rupees was set aside during 2012-13, which was utilized for second floor, compound wall, etc. The next year, Rs 60 lac was sanctioned, for levelling of the land, laying of interlocks, and other development works.
This two-storied building near Swarajya Maidan here, has come up on a 1.95 acre plot. It has a total area of 29,052 square feet. The ground floor has spacious parking, Lok Adalat Hall, conference hall, hall for lawyers, conference hall, store room, kitchen, and canteen, apart from restrooms for men and women.
Most of the court work will be done in the first floor. Main court hall, judge's chamber, record room, separate lock-ups for men and women along with police room, rooms for public prosecutors, and office bearers of Bar Association, are located here. A separate room for e-business solutions to be started shortly, store room, room for witnesses, etc are provided. The building has 45 rooms. Second floor has been built for accommodation for expansion when it happens in future.
This building is expected to provide lasting solutions to the problems faced by clients since long. The then judge of the state high court, Justice N K Jain, had inaugurated the courts of the civil judge and first class judicial magistrate in the year 2004 in association with the local unit of Bar Association. Bahubali Prasad was the president of the bar association then. Since then, the court activities are being held in a rented building on Mahavir College Road here. People coming to the court faced several problems including lack of protection from sunshine and rain. Lack of toilets had bothered the visitors, particularly women. The new building will solve most of these problems.
President of Moodbidri Bar Association, K R Pandith, says that it is a matter of pride for the citizens here that the first ever court in revenue division has come up in their town. He also expressed happiness that people coming to the court will get additional facilities henceforth.