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Synopsis

A division bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Arif Doctor on Wednesday formed a committee consisting of Principal District Judge of each district along with female office bearer of the Bar Association to address the issue faced by women lawyers and staff in the courts of Maharashtra.

"The Committee shall be constituted in each District in the State of Maharashtra. The Committee shall consist of Principal District Judge, a lady officer bearer of the Bar Association nominated by the Principal District Judge, (if not available a lady member of the Bar) a lady member of non-judicial staff, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department and a representative of Revenue Department not below the rank of Additional Collector. The Committee shall be headed by the Principal District Judge. The Executive Engineer and the Additional Collector will work as ex-officio members of the Committee. The order was passed yesterday by the division bench while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Jan Adalat Centre for para-legal Services and legal aid society" the order reads

The plea points out that there is no separate Bar Room for ladies in the court complexes.

"The petitioner submits that in most of the Court Complexes in the State, there are Bar Rooms which are in existence. However, though there are substantial number of lady lawyers separate Bar Room for lady lawyers is not provided. It is submitted that it is learnt that there are no yardsticks or Rules framed by any of the Respondent about the actual number of lady lawyers required for providing separate ladies Bar Room in the Court Complexes. As a result of the same, there is a vaccum with reference to the Rules or Guidelines regarding establishment and providing a separate Bar Room for the lady lawyers in the Court Complexes and there is a need of takin such policy decision by the Respondents herein," the plea states

The PIL also states that there is no separate canteen place for lady lawyers across courts of Maharashtra and as a result there is tendency along lady lawyers to skip lunch during lunch hours which is not a correct practice in the interest of a human being.

Additionally, the plea states that there are no separate washrooms for the lady lawyers in courts.

"The petitioner submits that in most of the Court Complexes in the State of Maharashtra, there are no separate toilets for ladies. As a result of the same, there is hardship which is caused to the lady lawyers. The petitioner submits that at the time when most of the Court Buildings were constructed there were very few number of lady lawyers. As a result of the same, no separate arrangement of toilet and WC for lady lawyers was made. However, now in view of the increase in the number of lady lawyers, separate toilet and WC in adequate number is necessary," the plea states.

With this view, the PIL seeks directions from the high court for creche facilities, feeding area, separate lockers, parking facilities for women lawyers in the state of Maharashtra.

Case Title: Jan-Adalat Centre for para-legal Services And Legal Aid Society, Through its Authorized Representative Madhavi Pardeshi & Anr. Vs State of Maharashtra