Nagpur: A surprise inspection of a water tank at a taluka court in Buldhana by a high court judge has set in motion a cleanliness and infrastructure review of taluka courts across Vidarbha. Judges of Nagpur bench of Bombay high court visited courts, staff quarters and judicial facilities in 11 districts of the region over the weekend.The exercise, according to HC Registrar Bhushan Kshirsagar, began about three months ago after Justice MM Nerlikar’s inspection in Buldhana drew attention to the need for greater cleanliness at subordinate courts. Justice Anil Kilor, the administration judge of Nagpur bench of Bombay HC, subsequently directed the registry to launch a cleanliness drive covering all taluka courts.The judge also directed the HC registry to designate an official to monitor the drive and review its progress every 15 days. He later proposed that HC judges, who also serve as guardian judges for the region’s 11 districts, personally visit taluka courts to assess infrastructure and facilities and interact with local Bar associations about their grievances during National Lok Adalat on Saturday.All the judges agreed to the proposal and visited courts in their respective districts. In all, they covered 86 taluka courts over Saturday and Sunday (Sept 12 and 13), inspecting court buildings and facilities as well as residential quarters allotted to judges and staff.Kshirsagar described the simultaneous visits as “historic” in the judiciary’s history. “Justice Kilor, who is guardian judge of Nagpur and Amravati district himself, travelled over 1,000 km covering areas from Nagpur to Buldhana and visited various courts,” he said, adding that other senior judges included Justice Anil Pansare, Justice Urmila Joshi-Phalke and others.There were strict instructions not to give any guard of honour to any judge to save time. “The operation had been planned meticulously for nearly two months,” Kshirsagar said.Senior registry official Amit Giri monitored the judges’ movements and coordinated with officials at the taluka courts.The judges also interacted with lawyers regarding their concerns. They also helped address issues arising during Lok Adalat proceedings, coordinating with local judicial officers and other stakeholders wherever necessary.As per Kshirsagar, the exercise restored the faith of the lower judiciary in the higher judiciary. “With such initiatives, it is the litigants who would be benefitted ultimately,” he said.# ‘Historic Initiative’ For JudiciaryTrigger | Surprise inspection of a taluka court water tank in BuldhanaInitiative | Justice Anil Kilor launched cleanliness and infrastructure driveScale | 86 taluka courts in 11 districts of Vidarbha inspectedInfra checked | Court buildings, judicial facilities, judges’ residences and staff quartersInteraction | Judges spoke to local Bar associations and heard grievancesLok Adalat | Judges helped address issues arising during proceedingsMonitoring | Registry to review the drive every 15 daysPlanning | Exercise meticulously planned over nearly two monthsObjective | Improve cleanliness, infrastructure and facilities at subordinate courts
