Lawyers' strike cripples court work in MP

Bhopal, Nov 27 (UNI) Court work remained almost paralysed across Madhya Pradesh today as lawyers resorted to a strike in protest against court fees hike effected by the state government.

In the state capital, the 'men in black' boycotted the district court, demanded withdrawal of the hike, burnt copies of the related bill, shouted slogans in the premises and later submitted a memorandum addressed to Governor Balram Jakhar.

Consequently, a hearing could not take place at a local court in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet girlfriend Monica Bedi are among the accused.

''The hike will wipe out the concept of economical and speedy justice. The poor will simply lose faith. More than 60,000 advocates boycotted courts ranging from the High Court to tehsil-level courts.

Demonstrations were led up to collectorates and memoranda submitted for withdrawing the hike,'' claimed State Bar Council Chairman Rameshwar Neekhra.

A UNI report from Jabalpur said the High Court bench continued to function. Members of the Madhya Pradesh Uchha Nyayalay Adhivakta Sangh and Zila Adhivakta Sangh reached the collectorate and submitted to Additional Collector Deepak Singh a memorandum addressed to the Governor.

Hundreds of harried litigants were observed seeking future hearings' dates in the district court premises.

UNI AG-AC PK VV1803