A day in the courtroom

 On the 7th of this month, I practically spent the whole day in the Metropolitan Court at Nampally.  I was there to attend a case hearing of my own.  I was already told to be prepared to spend long this day.  So I took my time to pay attention and take note of things, as they happen in the courtroom.  

I was also told that I could sit inside the courtroom, rather than wait outside. This really was worth it - of course, not again!! Sitting in the courtroom, I came to know a bit about the proceedings and how things unfurl in a judicial system in action in the final place of hearing.  

Here are a few things that I could not but notice: 

the seat is for the taking... anyone who is seated can remain seated, no matter who comes in (except the judge).  One can continue occupying the chair and there is no need to give it up for someone senior or even an advocate.  Perhaps this understanding is only in this courtroom; but I think it is the case everywhere. 

Call of appearance is what takes the most amount of time. Merely taking attendance! Gosh! The name or names are called out and the person has to appear before the judge.  Most often, the next date of appearance is already announced! No discussion or argumentation or anything of that sort! Just the announcement of the next date.  Watching this reminded me of the learning shared by another confrere who has been attending the court for years now say, attending the court proceedings, adjournment after adjournment, for ages, without any guarantee or hope of the case coming to its end is itself the punishment... not the final verdict

The judge during the whole day's proceedings would have looked up at the people being called in, perhaps once or twice.  In the 157 cases being called out that day, some of which had more than one person being called in, the judge looked at only 5 persons!!!  The rest of the time, she was busy with the papers and at times looking at the advocates presenting some fact about the 'accused'.  Most often, she never even looked at the advocates!! 

I was amused at the way the paper work was being handled.  The court attender, had all the case files stacked up.  He kept calling out the names of those to appear and once the fresh date was announced, he'd keep the file aside - in some strange arrangement.  Amidst all of those, I wonder how on earth would all papers, all files remain intact and not be lost or misplaced or stolen!  The whole courtroom itself was the godown.  All along the walls were old case files bundled up and stacked from the floor up! Every advocate, except for one, came in with the physical copies of the papers.  Only one young advocate had her laptop, besides a couple of files. 

The judge never took a break!  She started the proceedings right from the time she stepped into the courtroom at 10.30 am.  I was there till 14.30. She never attended or made any phone call. No did she take any snack. She stayed put in her chair all through.  The only time she did something other than reviewing the ongoing case papers, was when a lady came in for her signatures a couple of times. That was something really really commendable. 

Patience!  That was one thing you really learn in a matter of court and legal issue.  There were five advocates who were with me for my case.  From 10.15 am to 02.30 pm they were with me.  And I stood before the judge for less than 3 minutes, only to be given a date in January 2027 (3 months from now!). All this while waiting for my turn among the 157 cases of that day - first for the call of appearance and then for the surety that I need to vouch for.  That's it.