Dark days:Following heavy rain, the Allikulam campus went without power for three days.Special Arrangement
Judges had to make do with light from mobile phones and emergency lamps
A blackout following heavy rain kept the Allikulam campus here, which houses the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court, and 15 other courts, in darkness for the last three days. The magistrates were making do with mobile phone torchlight and emergency lamps.
On Saturday, a working day for the courts, most of the corridors wore a deserted look.
In a court hall a senior civil judge sat near the horseshoe table, where advocates sit during court hours, to make use of the natural light coming in through the window.
His staff switched on the torch on his mobile phone and held it above the head of judge from behind to help the judge peruse documents of prosecuting authorities and counsel for the accused.
In another court, a woman judge, scheduled to hear the bail plea of IPS officer Safeer Karim, was working under an emergency light held at a convenient height by a staff member.
Egmore Court’ Advocates’ Association president J.Chandan Babu said, “Rainwater flooded the electrical system in the complex on Thursday.
“They cut off supply of power. There is no light, water and lift facility.”
“As the court work has been computerised and networked entirely, they need round-the-clock power supply without disruption.
“Typing evidence, judgments and regular trial are not possible and most of us are sitting in darkness,” said a court staff.
Over 1,000 litigants and advocates visit the courts here every day. Besides, shoppers visit the complex to buy old books and other things from shops.
Water supply to toilets has been completely disrupted. S.Ramamurthy, a litigant waiting at the court, said, “Since there is no lift facility here, we have to use the long winding ramp to reach the court halls.
“It is very difficult for senior citizens.”
Power was restored on Saturday evening, but court staff complained of frequent power cuts.
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