Bhayandar: Nearly five years after the state government gave a green signal for setting up a court of law to address legal issues of citizens residing in the twin-city, the recently completed building in Mira Road is awaiting final touches including, interiors, furniture, fixture and other residual work for the past several months.
Scores of litigants and from the region are forced to travel all the way to the court in Thane to attend civil and criminal cases. Moreover, the police department are also compelled to drive through the busy state and national highway with suspects and accused to produce them before the court.
In response to the repeated pleas and regular follow-up by the local lawyers association, the state government authorities in 2013 gave its nod for setting up the court of the First Class Judicial Magistrate and Civil Judge ( Junior Division) on a plot admeasuring around 4,200 square metres reserved for the purpose in the Hatkesh area of Mira Road.
Budgetary provision amounting Rs 3 crore had been made in the 2013-14 budget for building the court premises. While the court rooms in the 3-storey structure stand completed, the state’s public works wing is awaiting funds which are held up apparently due to the imposition of the model code of conduct in view of the Lok Sabha polls.
Although officials are confident that the work will be taken up and completed on a war footing, once funds are allotted, the real matter of concern is the much needed and time consuming process for recruitment of staffers needed for the smooth functioning of the court.
The staffing pattern still awaits an official nod, sources said. The lawyer’s association has also demanded taluka status for the twin-city to pave way for setting up of senior and sessions court for speedy disposal of cases.
