Speedy justice at affordable cost could soon be possible for people living in remote areas.

Addressing an impressive gathering at the inauguration of a newly-constructed civil court here on Monday afternoon, L. Narsimha Reddy, Chief Justice of Patna High Court, said the state government and high court have decided to open civil courts at the sub-divisional level to provide justice to all. "Bhagalpur is now privileged to have two civil courts in two sub-divisions (Pirpainti and now Kahalgaon)," he said.

Reddy appealed to lawyers to be dedicated to the cause of their clients, particularly those from remote places.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, state law minister Narendra Narayan Yadav said state government has decided to open 18 civil courts at the sub-divisional level. It was for this that a civil court has come up in Kahalgaon. "People from Pirpainti and Kahalgaon, who walked over 50km to Bhagalpur, can now get justice at their doorstep," Yadav said.

Patna High Court judge Justice Mihir Kumar Jha said opening such courts would speed up cases related to civil jurisdiction. "I hope cases related to criminal jurisdiction, too, are heard in such courts once jails and juvenile homes come up," he said. Justice Jha urged lawyers to develop a bar association in Kahalgaon.

Nandlalpur resident Mihir Yada said: "I have to visit Bhagalpur, 33km away, regularly, for a case. But I now won't have to take that trouble."