The Fifth Additional District Judge P.K. Sivakumar in Coimbatore on Monday directed the District Collector to deposit ₹62,000 towards costs of the appearing of witnesses and accused in eight cases, proceedings of which could not be conducted due to absence of the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP).
As per court records, four witnesses and seven accused were present before the court in a 2019 murder case that was listed for trial. Due to the absence of the APP, the prosecution witness could not be examined and they were unnecessarily made to attend the court. The accused were put to hardship on account of the adjournment of the case.
Since the adjournment has been necessitated solely due to the default on the part of the prosecution, the State represented by the District Collector was directed to deposit a sum of ₹11,000 (₹1,000 each to accused and witnesses) before the court within one week towards costs, to enable payment of batta/expenses, show court records.
In another case that is pending for 10 years, an independent practising doctor appeared for witness examination. The court directed the Collector to deposit ₹10,000 towards costs as the case had to be adjourned due to the absence of the APP.
S. Gopalakrishnan, AIADMK Advocates’ Wing secretary (Coimbatore Rural North), who addressed media persons earlier in the day, alleged that the district court and subordinate courts were functioning without government law officers such as public prosecutors and government pleaders, resulting in delays in hearings and adjournment of cases.
He wanted the Home Department to appoint public prosecutors and government pleaders as tenure of existing law officers ended on June 30. He further alleged that over 20 lawyers appeared before courts in Coimbatore without official appointment orders, claiming to have been appointed as public prosecutors and government pleaders.
