Q&A with Judge S B Bahalkar: ‘After free legal aid, courts now all set to give free medical aid’
Judge S B Bahalkar, District Judge I and Additional Sessions Judge, is the Administrative Head at District and Additional Sessions Court, Malegaon. He is also the head of Taluka Legal Services Authority. (Picture: The Voice of Malegaon)
On Friday, the District and Additional Sessions Court, Malegaon became the first Taluka level court in Maharashtra to have a First Aid Centre on its premises. The Centre has been put in place with the sole purpose of providing instant care to sufferers in cases of medical emergency. The Centre was today inaugurated at the hands of Justice Nitin W Sambre and Justice Sandeep V Marne, both sitting judges of the Bombay High Court and Guardian Justices, Nashik District.
The Voice of Malegaon reached out to Judge S B Bahalkar, District Judge I and Additional Sessions Judge, who in a one-on-one brief interaction with Founder & Editor-In Chief Ashfaque Ismail underlined the importance of first aid in cases of emergency and how it can be helpful in saving life. Excerpts;
Q: Sir, could you possibly throw some light on what led to formation of this First Aid Centre (FAC) and how it is going to benefit the legal fraternity? Is it meant only for judges and lawyers?
Ans: First, let me answer the first part of your question. The FAC is going to be a game changer step as far as providing first aid on court premises was concerned. This Centre will be set up at all Taluka level courts in the country. There is a Writ issued by the Supreme Court in this regard.
Now the second part. A medical emergency can arise at any place at any given point of time. The courts are no exception. And when it comes it does not inform in advance. The medical services offered through these FACs will be free of cost. Judges, lawyers, parties to a case and anyone who at the time of emergency is on the ground can avail of this facility.
Q: Could you tell us how many people are likely to benefit from the FAC?
Ans: At this point of time I cannot tell you the exact figures. The Centre was thrown open today only. But we can consider these statistics. Every day around 1,000 to 1,200 people including litigants and their relatives visit the District and Additional Sessions Court, Malegaon.
This includes the accused, policemen, witnesses, lawyers and judges etc. In Malegaon Court which is a district court, there are 15-16 different courts. If you go visit the lower courts you will find there are around 500-700 people at a time on their premises. So, going by these statistics we can say that these FACs are going to benefit a large number of people.
Q: Could you possibly tell us about the FAC, working hours, its structure and staff etc?
Ans: I was coming to that point only. The FAC will be operational on days when courts are working. At a time a team of four doctors will be stationed that will serve at the Centre in rotation. These doctors have been assigned by the Medical Superintendent, General (Civil) Hospital, Malegaon. Everyday the FAC will be open from 11am to 2pm as of now.
