LI Network
Published on: January 21, 2024 at 15:18 IST
The President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), Senior Advocate Dr. Adish C Aggarwala, has penned a letter to Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, appealing for a directive to all benches of the Supreme Court to refrain from issuing adverse orders on January 22, considering the non-appearance of lawyers. This request is made in the context of the consecration of the Ram Mandir. The letter states:
“On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association, I am writing to request your Lordship to advise all benches of the Supreme Court not to pass any adverse orders due to non-appearance in any matter listed on 22.1.2024, in light of the Pran Pratishttha of Shree Ram Temple in Ayodhya.”
The SCBA President has also urged the Supreme Court Registry to issue a public notification regarding this matter.
“Therefore, I earnestly request Your Lordship to advise the Registry of the Supreme Court to issue a public notification in this regard.”
The letter acknowledges that some Muslim advocates have approached the President, requesting the Chief Justice to declare the date as a holiday. Despite recognizing the significance of maintaining a sufficient number of working days, the President emphasizes the importance of refraining from passing adverse orders.
“Your Lordship is undoubtedly aware of the significance of this celebration. Some of my Muslim brethren have also approached me to request Your Lordship to declare it a holiday. While acknowledging the importance of maintaining an adequate number of working days, we are specifically requesting that no adverse orders be passed in any case due to the absence of any lawyer or litigant.”
The letter also notes that although the main ceremonies will take place in Ayodhya, simultaneous events will occur in temples across India and globally, commencing early in the morning and lasting until late evening.
“I understand that many Hon’ble Judges and Senior Law officers have been invited to Ayodhya, and they may also be participating in the prayers. In my capacity as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the International Council of Jurists, London, I have also been honored with an invitation. Consequently, I will be attending the prayer ceremony in Ayodhya.”
The letter concludes by highlighting that both the central and various state governments, including the Delhi government, have declared a half-day holiday to enable citizens to partake in the prayer ceremony.
Notably, the Bar Council of India Chairperson, Manan Kumar Mishra, had also written to the CJI on January 07, requesting a holiday for all courts nationwide on the occasion of the Ram Mandir’s inauguration, acknowledging its cultural and national significance.