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Obtaining justice is more than just a factual right; it is an absolute necessity for every individual. However, millions of Indian citizens continue to face significant barriers to getting justice. Geographic distance, socioeconomic constraints, and procedural difficulties sometimes rob many individuals of justice. High Courts are typically located in state capitals or big cities, making it difficult for individuals from rural and isolated locations to access the courts.
As a solution to this problem, the Circuit Bench is introduced. In this article, we will learn about a Circuit Bench, why it is required, and how this notion brings justice closer to the people.
A Circuit Bench is a High Court division that works outside of its main headquarters for a set amount of time. Judges spend a few days on these benches to hear cases.
Although these benches are not operational year-round, they provide local residents with access to the justice system. For example, the Bombay High Court’s Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Goa benches were initially Circuit Benches.
The major aim is to bring the court to the citizens, not the other way around.
India is not only physically huge, but also culturally and economically diversified. A resident from a tribal community in Gadchiroli or a farmer in Satara who wants to file a petition with the Mumbai High Court would have to travel hundreds of kilometres. This voyage is not only physically demanding, but also has substantial financial, mental, and time implications.
Some of these challenges are:
Costs of travel, lodging, and food
Loss in daily wages
A lack of understanding of legal procedures
Language obstacles and psychological stress
As a result, many persons avoid submitting petitions, postpone proceedings, or settle for lower courts, even though their causes are deserving of hearing before the Supreme Court.
Circuit Benches shorten this distance, making the court system more accessible and user-friendly to regular citizens.
1.Saves on travel and expenses: With courts closer to home, individuals no longer have to go to Mumbai or state capitals, saving thousands of rupees and time.
2.Faster Case Resolution: Local cases can be heard directly on the bench, minimising the backlog of ongoing cases.
3.Enhanced Legal Awareness: People are more likely to take legal action and defend their rights when the High Court is nearby.
4.Support for Economically Weak Sections: Citizens who cannot afford to fly to Mumbai now have access to justice, ensuring that it is not limited to the privileged only.
5.Development of Local Legal Services: Lawyers, typing services, documentation offices, and other legal resources become available on a local level, thereby strengthening the entire legal system.
A farmer from Kolhapur needed to appeal a land possession dispute to the High Court. Travelling to Mumbai required three days off work, incurred expenses of ₹7,000, and navigated legal proceedings in an unfamiliar city.
If there had been a Circuit Bench in Solapur or Satara, the farmer might have appeared in a nearby city and handled the issue with a local attorney.
This demonstrates the actual power of Circuit Benches: allowing citizens to combat injustice.
Circuit benches have been regularly requested by legal bodies, individuals, and social activists throughout the state. Judicial facilities are lacking in areas such as Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Konkan.
A Circuit Bench is more than just a convenience; it is an essential component of factual equality. The Supreme Court has emphasised the removal of geographical boundaries to enable individuals’ access to justice.
As a result, the government and judiciary should carefully explore constructing more Circuit Benches as a strategic objective.
A Circuit Bench is more than just a temporary judicial setting; it is an effective instrument for providing justice to ordinary persons. In a huge and socially varied country like India, these benches provide access to justice for individuals who live distant from the courts. Circuit Benches provide hope to citizens who are unable to overcome distance, expenses, and procedural complexity.
If we sincerely believe in the principle of “Justice for All”, creating and maintaining Circuit Benches becomes a constitutional responsibility rather than a mere need.
This article is authored by Adv. Abdul Mulla, who works to make the justice system intelligible, accessible, and available to ordinary folks. For additional information, go to his websites www.asmlegalservices.in and www.lifeandlaw.in.
Adv. Abdul Mulla (Mob. No. 937 007 2022) is a seasoned legal professional with over 18 years of experience in advocacy, specializing in diverse areas of law, including Real Estate and Property Law, Matrimonial and Divorce Matters, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Will and Succession Planning. read more….
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