In a unique instance, a trial court in Kerala conducted its proceedings at night, hours after its normal working time.
On Tuesday night at 8 p.m., the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Chalakudy, examined a de facto complaint by Indira Prasad and her husband, who are settled in New York.
The Magistrate, Leena Riyas, examined the case as per the directions of the Kerala High Court through videoconferencing, considering the time difference between India and the U.S.
Big screens and a closed-circuit television camera were used to capture the picture and sounds. Internet connection was provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Technical experts from the public sector telecom company were present before the court to conduct the trial.
The court proceedings, however, were delayed by nearly an hour owing to the time difference between the two countries.
The process was successfully completed about three hours later, by 11.30 p.m.
Land disputeIndira Prasad is a complainant in case number CC No. 137/2009 pending before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Chalakudy. The case pertains to the dispute of ownership over 90 cents of land in Chalakudy, which was purchased in 2004.
A petition with regard to permit the examination of the complainant by means of tele-videoconference was filed by the complainant’s husband citing that she was not in a position to come down to Chalakudy owing to health reasons. In an affidavit, they pointed out that the complainant had no friends or relatives at Chalakudy, and she apprehended that she would be physically dealt with by the accused and their men.
The other reason stated was that if the complainant was to come to Chalakudy, she would have to leave her minor children back in the U.S.
Though the defendant had challenged the decision of the magistrate to carry out the trial through videoconferencing, the High Court had dismissed the petition.
In its order, it had also directed the magistrate how to conduct the proceedings and the precautions to be taken while considering the case.
Though the first hearing was scheduled on December 9, the trial did not take place owing to technical hassles.
