PUNE: Protesting against the evening courts introduced in Maharashra, members of the Pune Bar Association (PBA) on Tuesday worked with red armbands. The Association had unanimously expressed their opposition at a special general body meeting held on Monday.

The State has introduced the concept of evening courts to reduce the number of pending cases. Currently, 12 evening courts are functional within the premises of Pune District Court at Shivajinagar and one each at Daund, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Indapur.

Asked  why PBA was opposing the government decision of evening courts, Association President Milind Pawar said, “We have to spend time on case studies and discussions with clients. It's already hectic for us to work from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm in the courts. The evening courts would further extend the duty hours. It would be difficult to spare time for preparation of the cases. It would be more difficult for 1,500-odd  women advocates in the district to work in evening courts.” He also mentioned that they were not consulted before implementing evening courts.

According to him, the token protest on Tuesday was a successful one. As per the resolution passed at the general body meeting, the PBA will write to Bar Association of Maharashtra and Goa shortly on the issue.

OBJECTIONS

Advocates need to spend time on discussions with clients. It’s hectic with the 9 to 6 schecule, and this would further extend duty hours. Women advocates too would face issues.