Road accidents increasing; mobile courts that travel on roads becoming a memory

KOCHI: It's been a long time since the mobile courts that detect traffic violations in real time and issue punishments have disappeared from the roads. As the operation of mobile courts, which were active till the last decade, got into a crisis, the government and the judiciary together withdrew them. They have not functioned after the covid lockdown. The mobile courts, which consist of a magistrate and staff, are accompanied by police and motor vehicle department officials. Earlier the presence of mobile courts helped to maintain discipline in road traffic to some extent. Also, mobile courts used to intervene in other law violations noticed on the way.

Now, with road accidents and reckless driving increasing tenfold, there is a demand for the restoration of mobile courts. However, the official explanation is that mobile courts have lost their relevance with the introduction of virtual courts and new technological facilities. Meanwhile, the authorities are keeping silent about the crisis.

Six permanent courts

The cabinet decided to convert mobile courts in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Kannur into regular judicial first-class magistrate courts last September. 16 employees who were allotted here were redeployed. This was based on a letter dated July 6, 2021, sent by the High Court Registrar (District Judiciary) to the Home Department. The state police chief had also recommended that these courts should be cancelled or converted.

Crisis faced by mobile courts

1. Shortage of Magistrates
2. Fund problem
3. Vehicle modification and maintenance
4. Backlog of cases in permanent courts