Bandipora, Nov 16: The Sessions Court in this north Kashmir district established in early sixties is without basic facilities. Lawyers as well as litigants face immense problems in absence of proper drinking water, toilet and a proper canteen.
 “The ever-increasing number of litigants, lawyers and lack of basic amenities are the salient features of this court complex,” said advocate Shuaib Deewani.
 “There is no waiting room for litigants. Sometimes, they (litigants) have to wait for their turn for the whole day. There is no canteen for them to have their lunch or snacks. The number of toilets, too, is insufficient and this causes a lot of filth around the premises,” lawyers said. 
 District Bar Association president Advocate Feroz said the matter of repairing the court complex was pending with the administration for a long time. "We have approached successive deputy commissioners, public health officials and municipal authorities to at least provide requisite facilities to us but till date they have not paid any heed towards our pleas," he said.
 The fate of under construction structures is also hanging in balance. "Though a construction of some structures was taken up after the Assembly Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone visited the complex, but work was suspended after a few months. After the work was stopped we approached the Deputy Commissioner but till now nothing has happened,” lawyers said.
 They said the existing court complex should be repaired till the new building is constructed.
 Lawyers threatened to launch an agitation if government fails to redress their grievances within   next three weeks. “We are hopeful that government will take up the issue of Bandipora court complexes, If it fails to do so we will initiate an agitation to press for our demands,” lawyers said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST