Advocates write to CJI, seek financial help during lockdown

In a letter written to the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, bar council of India, Supreme Court Bar Association and Delhi High Court Bar association, advocates Pawan Prakash Pathak and Alok Singh have suggested them to take cognizance of the situation where bar members across the country are in the verge of starvation due to lack of financial sources. They also seek the creation of an emergency fund to deal with the current corona crisis.

New Delhi: Advocate Pawan Prakash Pathak and Alok Singh have written a letter to the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, Bar Council of India, Supreme Court Bar Association and Delhi High Court Bar association, to take cognizance of the situation where bar members across the country are in the verge of starvation due to lack of financial sources. They also seek the creation of an emergency fund to deal with the current corona crisis.

The advocates have suggested that the Bar Council of India can manage the poll fund as it has information about all the state bars. They have also listed out various parameters like enrollment of advocates in state bars, advocates practising independently and not getting salary from any law firm, checking their income tax return self-attested affidavits etc. to donate the money.

"Assistance in form of loan disbursal for a certain period of time can be provided to the Advocates who will return the Aid money after a fixed period of time, once the court reopens along with the reasonable interest and then the Emergency fund can be distributed among various State Bar Associations or BCI may utilise it for legal aid or any other mankind purpose," read the letter.

Citing the grounds for financial help, the advocates reason that advocates have been hit by the lockdown and are facing financial crunch which can pose a serious threat to their lives if extended. There are advocates who earn their livelihood only through the means of litigation.

"Situation is getting worse day by day and we have limited supplies in hand with the additional burden of paying for our rented accommodation, food and medical bills," said the lawyers. They clarified that they are not advocating the "financial aid" as the "fundamental right" but are just conveying the plight of the advocates.

They said that although various bar associations are coming up with the financial aid, there is no uniformity and equality in those policies and therefore all the needy advocates are not getting help.