The special Holiday Family Court, established with fanfare and envisaged to facilitate convenient hearing of family matters, has turned out to be yet another normal court in the country with millions of pendency. Proceedings in the court have been halted, waiting for a presiding officer (PO) from last couple of weeks, forcing postponements of the cases for working days.
Subsequent to the transfer of Principal Judge Family Court (PJFC), SK Dubey, the High Court (HC) had recommended the Government to issue notification to vest the power of PJFC in the Judicial Commissioner. However, the Department of Personnel is yet to make a notification in this regard. “The notification has to come from Personnel Department as they are the authority on such matters. Until then the court will continue to function on weekdays,” said Amitesh lal, Registrar of the Civil Court. The special holiday court is been working like a normal court since Dubey was transferred to legal Services Committee of High Court. In the absence of Dubey, Additional District Judge-I, J.P.N.Pandey is working as an in-charge of the family court.
Due to the transfer of PO, those cases which were recorded for hearing in the special holiday court are being heard on the next day of the scheduled date. Cases which were recorded for hearing on May 5 and 19 will be heard on May 6 and 20, respectively and hence defeating the very purpose of setting up holiday court.
It was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice MY Eqbal on March 2. It began functioning from March 3 and hears cases between 10 am to 2.30 pm with half-an-hour break in between on Sundays. It was established for the convenience of those who cannot come for hearing on normal working days especially working couples and has gained popularity since its inception. “The court has been running very smoothly and successfully since its inauguration,” added lal.Incidentally, the HC had also recommended vesting the power of family court in the Principal District Judge of Dhanbad and Garhwa.