Kerala HC Advocates' Association Organises Protest Against Non-Restoration Of Physical Hearing, Filing & Posting Cases

The Kerala High Court Advocates' Association organised a protest today against the non-resumption of physical hearing and filing.

Several lawyers practising at the High Court attended the protest meet, wearing badges which said "Unite and Fight Against Mounting Injustice - Do restore physical hearing and filing as in pre-lockdown days".

The Association had sought the resumption of physical hearing in a representation filed last week in which it had specifically requested to restore physical hearing from 1st November 2021 onwards.

However, since no positive action was taken towards the same, its Members assembled near its office and registered their protest. 

KHCAA President Advocate Thomas Abraham, Senior Advocate T Krishnanunni, Secretary of KHCAA Advocate TR Renjith and Advocates PK Shanthamma, Latha Prabhakaran, Lekha Suresh, Asha Cherian, Sibi Jose Kidangoor, C.E Unnikrishnan, Krishnadas P Nair and Hanil Kumar delivered speeches at the protest.

KHCAA highlighted that the present arrangement of virtual hearing introduced during the lockdown period cannot be a proper and legally tenable substitute for physical hearing.

The Association has also addressed a letter to Chief Justice S. Manikumar disclosing the resolution passed by its urgent General Body meeting held virtually on 31st October 2021. 

The letter reads that the Association has resolved to request the Chief Justice of Kerala and companion Judges to restore the physical hearing and filing and posting system as in the pre-lockdown period, as there remain no hurdles in the present scenario for the same. 

In the backdrop of the same, the letter has requested the Chief Justice to take essential steps to restore in full the system of physical hearing as well filing and posting of cases as in the pre-lockdown period without any changes at the earliest.