Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 5: "Everyone has to live with Corona. Judicial officers, staffs and members of the Bar Association, police department, prosecution and other authorities should intensify the work process to dispose off cases without fear of Covid pandemic. I will ensure that all demands of Bar association will be fulfilled within a due course", assured justice Ashok S Kinagi judge, high court of Karnataka and administrative judge, Udupi district.
He was speaking after the inauguration of new interlocked car parking area in the district court complex Udupi that was built at the cost of Rs 27 lac, the fund sanctioned by Coastal Development authority.
He further said, "Covid-19 has taught many lessons and disciplines like maintaining social distance, wearing masks, washing hands, using sanitizer. Lockdown hit the entire system including court. But learning continued through digital technology and social medias that allowed us reaching out to people.
For the past few months, courts were able to maintain the records and dispose off cases through video conferences and virtual meetings. High court chief justice amended Standard Operating Procedures from time to time.
He further added that from October 5, 2020, the advocates, litigate, police department and prosecution disposed off 553 civil and 1,085 criminal cases after recording the evidences of witnesses virtually.
From November 7 to November 30, 2020 the total number of cases filed were 2,124 out of 24 were e-filing and 2,100 were physically filed. Total number of evidences recorded is 390, out of which 353 were physically recorded and 37 were recorded through video conference.
A Mega Adalath was conducted on September 9, that settled 1,784 cases and another Mega Adalat will be conducted on December 19. An orientation and training programme were conducted for the related staff and advocates. He urged the support from the members of Bar Association for next programmes, judge Ashok added.
Chief guest of the occasion Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde, advocate and chairman, Coastal Development Authority, Mangaluru said, "There are many cases that are still pending at court because of bureaucrats who do not have intention to work hard. There is a need to work aggressively to dispose off old cases. Court officials should have will power to accomplish targets. Let us all work with positive vision," he encouraged.
Justice Vishwajith S Shetty, judge, high court of Karnataka presided over the programme.
Subramanya J N principal district and sessions judge, Udupi, Sadashiv Rao, Renold Praveen Kumar, general secretary Bar Association and Pradeep D'Souza, member secretary Coastal Development Authority were present on the dias.
Divakar M Shetty, president Bar Association welcomed the gathering.