Vasai Lawyers Protest has been withdrawn after the Principal District Judge (PDJ) of Thane assured advocates that immediate steps would be taken to address long-standing issues affecting the functioning of the Vasai court. The decision came after detailed discussions that resulted in commitments for additional courtrooms, better judicial infrastructure, procedural improvements, and stricter action against alleged corruption.

The development brings relief to thousands of litigants, lawyers, and court staff who have been dealing with mounting delays and infrastructure challenges in one of the busiest courts in the Palghar district.

Vasai Lawyers Protest Ends Following High-Level Meeting

The Bar Association of Vasai and the Vasai Advocates Association had earlier announced a sit-in protest scheduled for 27 July, highlighting several serious issues affecting the local judiciary.

However, before the demonstration could take place, Thane Principal District Judge Rajendra D. Sawant visited the Vasai court on 23 July and held marathon discussions with representatives of both advocates’ associations.

During the meeting, lawyers highlighted the increasing burden on the Vasai court, pointing out that the judicial system is struggling to keep pace with the growing number of cases.

According to advocates, the Vasai court requires nearly 40 judges to effectively manage its workload, but only 15 judges are currently posted, resulting in heavy case backlogs and delayed hearings.

Vasai Lawyers Protest Leads to Plan for Temporary Courtrooms

One of the most significant outcomes of the Vasai Lawyers Protest was the proposal to establish temporary courtrooms.

Judge Sawant personally inspected the land reserved for the future permanent court building and instructed officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) to urgently prepare a feasibility report for setting up container-style courtrooms.

Officials believe the vacant land can accommodate up to 10 temporary courtrooms, which would significantly reduce pressure on the existing infrastructure until the permanent court complex is completed.

The additional courtrooms are expected to improve daily operations and reduce waiting times for litigants appearing before the court.

Procedural Changes to Speed Up Court Hearings

The Vasai Lawyers Protest also highlighted delays caused by the recording of witness statements under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (now corresponding provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita where applicable during transition).

Lawyers informed the PDJ that recording these statements often consumes an entire working day, forcing other important hearings to be postponed.

Responding to the concern, Judge Sawant announced that he would convene a meeting of judicial officers and recommend scheduling Section 164 statement recordings after 4:00 PM.

If implemented, the change will allow regular civil and criminal proceedings to continue uninterrupted during normal court hours, benefiting both advocates and litigants.

Allegations of Corruption Raise Serious Concerns

Another major issue discussed during the Vasai Lawyers Protest was alleged corruption within the court administration.

Advocates claimed that case files occasionally go missing, after which money is allegedly demanded to locate or retrieve them.

Such allegations have caused concern among lawyers and litigants who depend on timely access to court records.

Judge Sawant assured representatives that strict disciplinary action would be initiated against anyone found engaging in corrupt practices and that measures would be introduced to strengthen accountability.

Lawyers Highlight Behaviour of Some Judicial Officers

Apart from infrastructure and corruption, advocates also expressed dissatisfaction over the conduct of certain judicial officers.

Junior lawyers reportedly complained about disrespectful treatment in court, while several advocates raised concerns regarding delays in the pronouncement of court orders.

Another issue discussed involved investigating officers allegedly leaving court premises without permission during bail hearings, causing unnecessary adjournments and inconvenience to litigants.

The Bar Associations urged the judiciary to ensure greater discipline and accountability among all stakeholders involved in court proceedings.

The withdrawal of the Vasai Lawyers Protest marks a positive step toward resolving several long-standing issues affecting the administration of justice in Vasai.

While the assurances given by the Principal District Judge have been welcomed by the legal fraternity, advocates are expected to closely monitor the implementation of the promised reforms.

If temporary courtrooms are established, additional judges are appointed, and administrative reforms are effectively implemented, the Vasai court system could witness significant improvements in efficiency and public service.

For thousands of residents seeking justice, these reforms have the potential to reduce delays and improve access to a more transparent and responsive judicial system.

The legal community has expressed hope that the commitments made during the discussions will translate into visible improvements in the coming months.

Inputs by Biju Cherian

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