The Advocates Association Bangalore (AAB) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking setting up benches of 23 tribunals in Bangalore, some of which are now in Chennai.
The AAB, in a resolution passed at its general body meeting on September 11, has said that the Appellate Tribunal of Electricity, Central Electricity Appellate Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal and other tribunals do not have a bench in South India, and has urged the prime minister to set up these benches in Bangalore in the interest of litigant public.
“First and foremost, the clients, particularly, those from the lower strata of the society in Karnataka are experiencing highest difficulty in travelling to Delhi and/or to Chennai. Even the industrial and commercial litigants who can afford the cost of litigation are passing it on to their consumer/end-users, thus, augmenting the cost of services and commodities they produce or trade. In the ultimate analysis, either directly or indirectly, common man has to bear the cost of litigation," the resolution says.
Pointing out that Bangalore is home to the prestigious National Law School of India University and other reputed law varsities, the AAB says, “However, it is indeed a travesty that law graduates, who specialise in niche areas such as Intellectual Property Law, Energy Law, Cyber Law, Company Law etc., are deprived of bestowing their skills to the benefit of the people of Karnataka, at whose cost the students have received their education and training.”
