Chennai: The district magistrate’s court, a 200-year-old Victorian era complex at Saidapet which houses six courts and one fast track court, appears to be on the verge of collapse. After cracks started appearing on its walls, public works department (PWD) officials erected poles to strengthen these and tied ropes to avoid any mishaps.
“These poles have been here for at least two years. If nothing is done, the building may fall one day,” says M.Kala, a junior lawyer, who practises there.
The Justice Padmanabhan committee report listed heritage sites in Chennai in 2010, declared the court a heritage building and ordered no demolition be carried out without the permission of the Heritage Conservation Committee. Multiple plans to shift the courts to a different location such as Guindy, failed.
The lack of a seating area means that people have to wait on the stairs or on the ground for their cases to be heard. This poses a serious problem for the aged like Nithya Shree. “I pack lunch and adequate water so that I do not have to move till my name is called. I have had multiple knee surgeries and cannot repeatedy get up and sit down,”she says. The steep climb of the stairs is another problem for her.
This old building does not even have basic facilities such as washrooms or canteens. “It is very difficult for people like us who wait for hours for our cases to be heard. There is not even a tea shop or water dispenser,” says Nithya Shree. The lack of washrooms is a bigger problem for women. Even more so for the many policewomen on duty at the court who spend the day there. “The nearest washroom is in the opposite building, which is a bar. We ourselves feel unsafe; imagine the general public,” says R. Sumathi, a police constable.
Court officials however disagree. “There are several washrooms for use inside the court. We have people who come and clean them often as well,” said O. Rangadass, an advocate. Lawyers have washrooms within their chambers but these are not open for public use.
In 2015, a plan for a new multi-storeyed building was approved by the Registrar-General, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. “Now, a new building is being constructed behind this one. It will be inaugurated soon. It will have all facilities,” said Rangadass.
