Tamil nadu: Evening Courts opened

Chennai, July 6: Tamil Nadu has become only the second state after Gujarat to have evening courts in the country.

The first batch of the 11 evening courts were launched here yesterday, at a function organised at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court premises.

It was proposed to start 80 evening courts in the state. During the first phase Chennai would have four courts, while Coimbatore and Tirunelveli would have two each Salem, Madurai and Tirucharapalli would have one court each, the courts will functioning from 1800 hrs to 2000 hrs on all working days, official sources informed.

These courts, under Metropolitan or Judicial Magistrate court category for now, would consider petty cases such as minor motor vehicle or traffic offences.

The presiding officers would be regular and serving judges. They would be entitled for extra remuneration.

These courts would enable regular Magistrate courts to spend more time on disposal of serious cases, officials said.

Depending on the success of the first batch the state government, in consultation with the Madras High Court, would accord permission for more evening courts in other parts of the state, they added.

UNI