Kriti Agrawal –
A petition has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking the extension of financial assistance in the form of an interest-free loan to advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi.
The petition has been filed in order to meet their basic needs, survive with dignity and make payment of School Fees, pending EMIs against their various Loans/Credits Card Payments, and so on in times of crisis.
The petition, filed by a number of Delhi-based practising lawyers, names the Union of India, the Ministry of Finance, the GNCTD, the Delhi Bar Council, and the Reserve Bank of India as respondents.
Despite the fact that the pandemic has caused severe financial hardship, the petition claims that most of the Advocates who come from middle-class and lower-middle-class families have been waiting for the opening of Courts since last year, and when they were very hopeful for the opening of Courts that had been completely closed due to covid second wave.
Further, the Delhi Bar Council has issued a Tender on February 10, 2021, for the Redevelopment of their Head Office at an anticipated cost of Rs 3.5 Crore.
The plea states, “At this time when all advocates are suffering from financial difficulties, there is no need for Redevelopment of Respondent No. 3’s Head Office and this money should be used to save the advocates from this financial crisis.”
It has been claimed that in order to protect the dignity of the legal profession, financial assistance in the form of an interest-free loan is necessary from the Respondents jointly or severally so that they can save and keep their dignity in the eyes of society at large.