Chennai: Demanding a bench of the Supreme Court in this southern metropolis, hundreds of lawyers in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry began a three-day boycott of courts Monday.

"People from south India travel a long distance to reach New Delhi, where the cost of living is very high. They will find it easier to pursue their cases if a bench of the Supreme Court is established here," K. Raja, one of the protesting lawyers, said to IANS.

The partial strike affected work in most courts.

A.R. Lakshmanan, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, said the move to set up a bench here would benefit litigants and contribute to the cause of national integration.

"For many in the south, travel to New Delhi ends in culture shock. Many find it difficult to follow the local language. The move will also ease disposal of piled up cases and additional judicial appointments," he said.

"More importantly, when Supreme Court judges relocate to Chennai or any other south Indian city, the move will contribute greatly to national integration as well," Lakshmanan added.

 

Source : ians