Supreme Court to pass detailed orders on problem of lawyers' strikes and court boycott

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The Supreme Court has today said that the court will pass a detailed order on the problem of lawyers' strikes and court boycotts, stating that this can never be approved.

A bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice AS Bopanna said, "When common man and litigants are waiting for their turn for so many years we cannot afford such strikes and boycotts."

The top court was hearing an application in District Bar Association, Dehradun v. Ishwar Shandilya, settled by the Top Court by Judgment dated February 28, 2020.

On the earlier occasion as well, the court had said, "A day has now come for the Bar Council of India and the Bar Councils of the States to step in and to take concrete steps."

However, today the bench observed that despite the firm decision taken by the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils, still in some district courts and High Courts strikes are being called upon and courts are boycotted.

Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra appearing for the Bar Council of India submitted on the matter that in the meeting of the office-bearers of all bar councils the collective view was that illegal and unreasonable strikes and boycotts can never be approved and are bad.

However, the bench suggested the Bar Council to constitute a Grievance Committee that can look after the grievance of advocates state-wise.

The bench further noted that, "If litigants won't get timely justice ultimately it will affect the rule of law and credibility of justice delivery system."

The bench has posted the matter for October 4, 2021, and said that a detailed order will be passed in this regard.

Case Title: District Bar Association Dehradun Vs. Ishwar Shandilya & Ors.