Steps on to use Tamil in HC arguments: Minister

Madurai, July 6 (UNI) All efforts will be taken for using Tamil for arguments in High Court, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy today said.

Addressing the press here, Mr Venkatapathy said there was a demand to allow the use of both Tamil and English in the courts similar to the opportunity prevailing in other states where the official language was used.

When a similar demand came from West Bengal for using Bengali, the Supreme Court declined to grant permission citing difficulties in translation of laws.

Where the practice (of using the state's language) was prevailing, there were difficulties in getting law books in the language.

The minister also said steps were being taken to include Tamil in the official languages list. Once this happened, the language could be used everywhere.

He envisaged a period when judgements, like in lower courts, being delivered in Tamil not only in High Courts but also in Supreme Court.

The minister also said the evening courts will help in clearing pending cases benefitting poor litigants.

UNI