Amid rising concerns over the safety of lawyers, the Bar Council of India has passed a resolution requesting the union government to frame an effective law for “the protection of lives, interests, and privilege of advocates and their families”. This development comes days after yet another shooting inside a court complex, this time in Delhi’s Saket district court. In a press release, the apex regulatory body revealed that this resolution was taken at a joint meeting of all the state bar councils with the Bar Council of India, under the chairpersonship of senior advocate and BCI chief Manan Kumar Mishra. Besides urging the centre to frame a law for the protection of lawyers, the bar councils have also demanded the payment of appropriate compensation in the event of any attack on an advocate or their family members, or any bodily harm caused to them or their family, and the framing of an effective law to that end. change the para into another version
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The Bar Council of India has called on the union government to draft a robust law for the protection of lawyers in light of growing concerns over their safety. The move comes shortly after a shooting incident occurred within the premises of Delhi's Saket district court, once again bringing the issue of lawyers' security to the forefront.
A joint meeting between the Bar Council of India and all state bar councils, chaired by senior advocate and BCI chief Manan Kumar Mishra, passed a resolution urging the government to enact a law that ensures the safety and wellbeing of lawyers and their families. The council has also requested appropriate compensation for any harm caused to advocates or their loved ones, as well as a strong legal framework to address such incidents. The resolution aims to safeguard the lives, interests, and privileges of lawyers, emphasizing their essential role in upholding justice and the rule of law.
During the joint meeting of the Bar Council of India and state bar councils, a unanimous resolution was passed stating that the decision to legally recognize same-sex marriage should be left to the legislature, which is a reflection of the people's will. The resolution further claimed that the question of marriage equality is causing concern among responsible and prudent citizens regarding the future of their children. Additionally, it alleged that 99.9% of the population is against the idea of same-sex marriage.
The resolution is significant as it highlights the ongoing debate around the recognition of same-sex marriage in India. However, some have criticized the resolution's claim that an overwhelming majority of Indians oppose same-sex marriage, citing surveys that suggest growing support for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. The resolution's emphasis on leaving the matter to the legislature also raises questions about the role of the judiciary in shaping social policy in India.
In addition to addressing the issue of same-sex marriage, the Bar Council of India and state bar councils discussed and passed resolutions on various other matters. These included uniform rules for enrolment fees, approval of the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, criteria for state bar council membership and voting, and the resolution of lawyers' strikes.
Concerns around security in court premises have also been raised, prompting the Supreme Court to direct all high courts to provide updates on the installation of CCTV cameras. The court is currently hearing multiple petitions seeking special measures to enhance the safety of court premises and those involved in the justice system across India. A bench of Justices Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta is overseeing the matter and has requested high courts to provide their responses on the issue. The move highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of all those involved in the justice delivery system, including judges, litigants, and lawyers.
TAGS: Bar Council of India lawyers' protection same-sex marriage CCTV cameras Supreme Court
