Supreme Court seeks detailed report from Madras HC on basic facilities for women lawyers in Nilgiris court

The Supreme Court on June 9 urgently intervened to direct the Registrar General of Madras High Court to file a detailed report on the basic facilities, including washrooms, available for women lawyers at Nilgiris court complex in Tamil Nadu.

The Supreme Court on June 9 urgently intervened to direct the Registrar General of Madras High Court to file a detailed report on the basic facilities, including washrooms, available for women lawyers at Nilgiris court complex in Tamil Nadu.

The lack of proper facilities for women lawyers has been a burning issue for nearly a quarter of a century in the hill district.

To get today’s top stories from Tamil Nadu in your inbox, subscribe to our Tamil Nadu Today newsletter here

The issue was raised in the Supreme Court by the Nilgiris Women Lawyers Association through a petition.

The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India D. Y. Chandrachud had been repeatedly highlighting the importance to provide an inclusive environment for women practising law, right from the district courts to the apex court.

The dearth of facilities for women lawyers also grabbed national attention when the National Commission for Women wrote to the Madras High Court, saying the state of affairs not only showed neglect but amounted to a violation of human rights.

On April 29, the Supreme Court had recorded the Madras High Court’s offer to examine the facilities in the Nilgiris court complex and file a report. The apex court had also given the women lawyers liberty to approach the District Judge or the Registrar General of the High Court in case of any future grievances.