The Bombay High Court has taken a significant step in addressing the issues faced by women lawyers, litigants, and staff in district courts in Maharashtra. In response to a public interest litigation petition filed by Jan Adalat Centre for Paralegal Services and Legal Aid Society and advocate Madhavi Pardeshi, the court has directed all principal district judges to form committees to address and inspect the lack of security and infrastructure for women in court complexes.

The petition highlighted the lack of separate washrooms, changing rooms, bar rooms, and canteen facilities for women. It also emphasized the need for creche facilities and feeding rooms to support young mothers who are lawyers. The plea further raised concerns about the security of women litigants and advocates in district bar associations and urged the installation of CCTVs at the entrance of the bar rooms.

To address these issues, the Bombay High Court has directed the formation of committees consisting of four members in each district. The committees will include the executive engineer of the Public Works Department, a representative from the Revenue department not below the rank of Additional Collector, a woman representative, and a senior woman advocate from the local Bar.

The court has set a timeline for the formation of the committees, requiring them to be set up within two weeks. These committees will then inspect the facilities in the courts within four weeks and submit a report. The aim is to identify the shortcomings and initiate necessary actions to improve the security and infrastructure for women in district courts.

The petition specifically mentioned the Pune district court, where there are only two Bar rooms for 1,500 women lawyers. It emphasized the need for separate parking spaces, lockers, and drinking water facilities for women lawyers.

The Bombay High Court’s directive is a positive step towards ensuring that women lawyers, litigants, and staff have access to safe and adequate facilities in district courts. It acknowledges the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and creating an inclusive and secure environment for women in the legal profession.