Directing Maharashtra Government to pay fees of a public prosecutor who had appeared for the state in 77 cases in land acquisition matters, the Bombay High Court has asked the state to formulate a policy for payment of dues to pleaders within a reasonable time frame.

Such a policy be placed before the Court on or before July 30, said a bench of Justices M S Sonak and Abhay Oka while hearing a petition filed by prosecutor Suresh Kamble. The Judges also suggested that if there is delay in payment of bills or denial of payment, the State will have to provide for a redressal mechanism for the Government Pleaders or Public Prosecutors so as to avoid litigations in Courts. The bench also expressed dissatisfaction over the fee structure payable to the government lawyers saying it was too conservative.