Madras HC calls for awareness among public

Pudukkottai, Aug 18: Madras High Court Chief Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly said awareness among people of protecting their rights guaranteed by the Constitution was not adequate and they should be sensitised to the need to fight against any injustice or harassment meted out to them.

Declaring open a new building of the District Legal Aid Services Authority here yesterday, he said the Constitution, irrespective of economic or social status, guaranteed equal rights to every citizen of the country.

Pointing out the lack of awareness among people of their right to dignity often resulted in illegal exploitation by the upper strata people, he said the Legal Aid Services Authorities played a pivotal role in protecting the rights of such suppressed people.

He called upon the socially and economically weaker sections not to suffer injustice at any cost. ''Assert your rights; do not suffer injustice and raise your protection,:'' he said.

He also urged women to fight against any harassment. Women suffering injustice should take maximum advantage of the Legal Aid Service Authority.

''If police personnel refuse to register cases, they should immediately approach the Free Legal Aid Cell (for proper remedy),'' he said.

Tamil Nadu Public Works and Law Minister Durai Murugan in his address said the Legal Aid Cell, through its conciliatory efforts, would help clear the backlog of cases, numbering about 13,56,878 in Tamil Nadu, to a great extent.

He said the State Government had planned to provide own buildings for all courts and quarters for judges.

The minister appealed to the lawyers not to resort to any stir unbecoming of the integrity of the noble profession. An intent observation of the proceedings of the cases would enhance the professional competence of lawyers.

UNI