Kozhikode: The decades long demand by the people of Malabar for a High Court bench in Kozhikode is still a distant dream.
Most of the legal experts point out that an HC bench here would be a relief for thousands of litigants.
The Kozhikode Bar Association, citizen forums and legislators have been raising the demand for more than two decades while efforts are still continuing for a bench in the state capital.
Legal expert Vinod Singh Cheriyan said the Thiruvananthapuram bench would help only people from two southernmost districts while a bench here would be helpful for litigants from five districts - Kasargod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram and Kozhikode.
“People in Kasargod have been struggling too much to access the system of justice as it is a strenuous process for them to reach Ernakulam,” he told DC.
Shyam Padman, another lawyer, said Article 21 of the Constitution that deals with the fundamental rights refers to justice as integral part of Right to Life.
“So here the fundamental right is being violated. Now fundamental right has been read into human rights. So denying justice is violation of human rights as well as fundamental rights,” he told DC.
“I wonder why as a society we failed to fight for the issue. It indicates the collective failure of the society. We have developed immunity against all these”.
The legal fraternity feels that rather than an issue of Kozhikode it should be highlighted as an essential need of the entire Malabar region.
A concerted effort of people’s representatives, citizen’s forums and legal fraternity should be ensured.
Kozhikode Bar Association secretary G Manoharlal told DC that the legal fraternity was ready to take up the issue provided there should be public support.
