Can the plaintiff himself/herself appear

Certainly you can attend the hearing.  If you have any doubts on your counsel, you can change the counsel and appoint a new counsel.

Thank you so much Mr Krishnaa.  It would be nice if somebody could tell me how to retrieve all the papers related to the case from the court as my counsel is not willing to share any of them with me. Also, what does it take to file a stay order or an injunction in a property case.

You can apply for certified copy of all documents filed in the case.  You have to file an application for this. 

You are eligible even to persue all the documents with the permission of the court.  You need to file a Memo for persuing the documents before the court.

As regards your querry about stay order or injunction full facts are necessary to reply better.