New turn to advocates stir in Tamil Nadu

Chennai (PTI): In a new turn to the ongoing Advocates' stir, the Madras High Court on Saturday notified that its Judges would take up matters listed before them and decide them on merit from March 16 but lawyers said they would continue boycott of courts insisting on action against police officials responsible for the Feb 19 'attacks' against them. As the lawyers' indefinite stir continued for the fourth week, the High Court said in the event of advocates not being available when criminal matters were being heard, either advocates on the panel of amicus curiae would be requested to appear for the accused or notice would be sent to accused, who are on bail or in jail, telling them to make alternative arrangements. The High Court's notification in this regard came a day after it directed subordinate courts to start functioning from Monday. Advocates have been boycotting courts since the February 19 clash between police and lawyers in the High Court premises demanding suspension of top police officers. Sticking to their stand, Madras High Court Advocates' Association and Tamil Nadu Advocates' Association on Saturday submitted memoranda to the High Court Registrar General stating that advocates will be withdrawing their 'vakalats' (civil side) and memos (criminal side) for appearance. TNAA President S. Prabhakaran told reporters that the notification 'suppresses democratic rights of lawyers'. The agitation by advocates was fair and being conducted in a democratic manner, he said. Stating that advocates would not attend any case till police officers responsible for the attack were suspended, Mr. Prabhakaran said the notification "adds insult to the injury of advocates". He requested the Chief Justice H L Gokhale to withdraw the notification immediately. Several advocates and policemen, besides a judge were injured in the February 19 clashes between lawyers and police in the High Court premises.

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