For most citizens, trial courts are the first and only point of contact with the judiciary and therefore form the backbone of the justice delivery system, said Supreme Court Judge K.V. Viswanathan at the inauguration of the new combined court complex and judicial officers’ residential quarters in Pollachi on Saturday (July 11).
Justice Viswanathan said trial courts played a vital role in protecting citizens’ rights and upholding the rule of law. “A court is not merely a structure of bricks and mortar. It is a constitutional institution that inspires confidence that everyone’s rights will be protected under the rule of law,” he said.
He also urged every Bar association to establish structured mentorship programmes by encouraging senior advocates to guide junior lawyers.
Madras High Court Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari said the five courts in Pollachi — the Sub Court, Principal District Munsif Court, Additional District Munsif Court and Judicial Magistrate Courts I and II — functioned on a congested premises within the campus of the Sub-Collector’s office. The new complex, with infrastructure for 10 court halls, would meet future requirements while providing improved facilities for litigants, advocates and judicial officers, he said.
He said Coimbatore district had 59 courts, of which 47 functioned from dedicated judicial buildings and 12 operated from shared government premises. With the inauguration of the Pollachi complex, one more set of courts has moved into an independent judicial building.
A view of the new combined court complex in Pollachi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN
Built at ₹40.57 crore on 3.14 acres, the ground-plus-three-floors combined court complex has a built-up area of about 1.84 lakh sq.ft. and houses 10 court halls, judges’ chambers, court offices, legal aid facilities, a library, a 200-seat conference hall, a Bar Association hall, videoconferencing facilities and parking for 100 cars.
The State government sanctioned an additional ₹14.59 crore for furniture, compound walls, approach roads and other amenities before the complex was handed over to the Judicial Department on June 30.
The residential campus comprises five judicial officers’ quarters across three blocks, with each residence equipped with essential amenities, lifts and uninterrupted power backup.
