Journalism of Courage
Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said Pune was the right place to get a Bombay High Court bench. He assured that he would speak to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mohit Shah in this regard.
The Pune Bar Association (PBA) had submitted a memorandum to him demanding Bombay High Court Bench in Pune. Reacting to the demand,Moily assured support to the demand,provided it came through a proper channel.
Every state government has to ready the infrastructure required to set up a High Court bench, complete a feasibility study and then recommend it to the state’s High Court. The union government will come into picture only after the state approves the recommendation. Unless this procedure is followed,no demand of HC bench will be entertained in the country. Moily told Newsline.
The Pune Bar Association has been vigorously demanding a Bombay High Court bench in Pune for the past four months. The lawyers had undertaken a silent protest march at Pune collector’s office last month. They even undertook a signature campaign for about a fortnight and collected 3000-odd signatures of lawyers and litigants reinforcing the demand.
Asked about the unanimous opposition from Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa to the upcoming Legal Practitioners (Regulation and Maintenance of Standards in Profession,Protecting the Interest of Clients and Promoting the Rule of Law) Bill,2010,Moily defended his decision to table the Bill.
We have introduced accountability for judges by making them declare their assets. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill is also underway. Why not have some standards and accountability for lawyers too? Moily said.
