Kerala HC Advocates Association Objects To Proposal Of Shifting HC To Kalamassery, Building Judicial City; Seeks Representation In Decision-Making Process

The Association has also requested adequate representation of advocates in the proposed High Power Committee in connection with the proposal for the construction of a Judicial City in Kalamassery.

The General Body of the KHCAA has unanimously decided to pass a resolution to oppose this proposal based on the meeting conducted on January 30, 2024.

A major concern raised by the KHCAA was that the proposal for the 'Judicial City' at Kalamassery was taken without including advocates in the decision-making process. They aver a 'total lack of consultation' with the advocates in making such a proposal.

The objection also stated that the present High Court building was constructed after the Full Court deliberated and rejected the proposal to shift the location to Kalamassery.

The KHCAA has stated that the present High Court building was only sixteen years old and the Judicial Academy was only six years old. It stated that the proposal to build a Judicial City in Kalamaserry would raise questions on 'need and necessity' and would exhibit a lack of planning.

It was also stated that nowhere in India, any other High Court has been constructed/shifted in the manner as it is being proposed to be done in Kerala.

Further, they stated that the crores of public money that had already been spent to construct the present High Court as well as the Judicial Academy would go in vain. They allege waste of hundreds of crores of public funds without adequate reason for such a change.

Additionally, they pointed out that the construction work of the present High Court started in 1994, it was only completed in 2006 after a huge delay of twelve years due to paucity of funds.

The KHCAA has also raised concerns regarding spending of crores of money on Judicial City in Kalamassery when the government has time and again submitted through affidavits that there is a lack of funds.

The KHCAA also pointed out that the Kerala High Court is much ahead of many other High Courts in terms of space and after the completion of digitization, at least 30-40 more rooms would be available to use in the present High Court.

Another reason pointed out by the KHCAA was regarding the condition of the lower judiciary in Kerala. It is stated that the crores of money which is proposed to be spent on the judicial city could be used to improve the facilities in the lower judiciary.