VISAKHAPATNAM: With AP assembly passing a resolution for the establishment of a high court bench in Kurnool of Rayalaseema region, the advocates in the north Andhra region are gearing up to launch a fresh campaign seeking establishment of a High Court bench in Vizag city.
A few days ago, chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu announced on the floor of the Assembly that a High Court bench will soon be established at Kurnool as promised before elections.
Advocates of north Andhra Pradesh comprising Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have decided to form a Joint Action Committee to spearhead a massive agitation for establishment of the High Court Bench in Vizag city.
Speaking to TOI, senior advocate, and former president of Visakhapatnam Bar Association (VBA) Prithvi Raju Janapareddy said the lawyers of north Andhra have been demanding a HC Bench in Vizag since 1992. A strike was observed for a record three months in 1993. We have decided to raise our voice for HC Bench in Vizag city, and we will intensify the agitation till the government sets up HC Bench. “ Neighbouring states have a couple of benches apart from their High Courts. Therefore, the demand for separate High Court benches for AP is justified,” he added.
The legal fraternity in north Andhra Pradesh expressed that Vizag is the ideal place for HC Bench due to the location of Andhra University College of Law, Damodaram Sanjeevaiah National Law University, GITAM School of Law and other law colleges. The VBA has over 5,000 advocates, including over 1,200 women advocates, they added.
Kuppili Muralidhar, advocate and forum for legal professional president, demanded the AP government to take immediate steps for setting up of HC Bench in Vizag. Sivaramakrishnan Committee set up by the Centre had recommended the location of the HC Bench in Visakhapatnam as Vizag is an ideal place to have a bench of high court because it caters to the needs of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and Godavari districts. chief minister Chandrababu Naidu must use his good offices and request centre to set up a bench here immediately, he added.
Expressing that there needs to be a separate HC Bench in Vizag for the convenience of the public. Soon, we will form a committee to intensify our demand for setting up HC Bench in Vizag city, said president of VBA, Bevara Satyanarayana.
Key points:
- Vizag had the largest Bar in Andhra Pradesh.
- At present, Vizag has 5,000 advocates, including 1,200 women lawyers.
- The bar associations of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam have also expressed their solidarity for HC Bench in Vizag.
- After the division of Andhra Pradesh, Vizag advocates hoped for a new high court to be located in Vizag.
- Vizag is the largest commercial and educational hub in Andhra Pradesh.
- Vizag has six law colleges, including AU College of Law, Damodaram Sanjivaiah National Law University.
- The Sivaramakrishnan Committee had also recommended establishment of HC Benches in Visakhapatnam and Kurnool.
- Land not a problem for setting up HC Bench in Vizag.
- Vacant sites are also available at Adavivaram, Madhurawada and other places.
