INDIA: Move for speedy disposal of elders' legal cases stonewalled

. BANGALORE, Karnataka / Daily News & Analysis / October 18, 2008 A move aimed at expediting litigations involving senior citizens has hit a speed breaker, allegedly owing to the poor response from advocates connected. The Bangalore High Court registrar on September 28 notified the advocates to submit a list of cases related to senior citizens. The notification was issued to avoid inconvenience to senior citizens, by prioritising such cases for hearing. Even 20 days after the notification, only a few advocates have furnished the details, while many others, it is alleged, showed scant interest. There are about 5,000 pending cases pertaining to senior citizens in the High Court. Officials, however, refused to give the exact figures. Most of these cases are related to settlement of pensions and land disputes, among others. Though the High Court had published the notification on its website and on the court notice board, many advocates are still unaware of it. Some advocates are allegedly holding back the details of litigations involving senior citizens. They fear it would put more pressure on them to expedite such cases. They also fear the speedy disposal of cases would eat into their income. "I don't know why advocates are not giving the list of cases pertaining to senior citizens. It is very beneficial for both the litigants and advocates. The advocates must make use of it," D L. Jagadish, president of the Bangalore Advocates' Association, said. © 2005-2008 Diligent Media Corporation Ltd.