Now family courts that are litigant-friendly

NEW DELHI - Imagine a courtroom complete with colourful walls, specially designed tables and chairs, games, a television and even baby sitters - all for kids.

Two ‘family courts’ will be inaugurated in Rohini to sort out family disputes in congenial and supportive surroundings instead of overcrowded and repelling environs of regular courts.

“The two family courts are ready and we will inaugurate them later this week,” a court official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS.

The aim of having such courts is to give friendly atmosphere to the kids who come with feuding couples, he said.

One such family court is already functioning in Dwarka court complex. “After witnessing an overwhelming response for Dwarka court, we are planning to extend it to all other district courts as well,” said the court official.

“There are 20,925 cases of family and marital disputes pending across the various city courts. We need at least 35 family courts like these,” added the court official.

The family court will also have full time psychologists who can counsel the couples whose marriages have hit the rock. For this, two separate rooms have been constructed where the psychologists will hear the parties.

After the enactment of the Family Courts Act, 1984, 61 family courts have been set up in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Bihar and Assam, among others.

Family courts deal with issues of maintenance, custody, guardianship, divorce and various cases under the Hindu Marriage Act.