C'garh HC issues notices on lawyer's absence from pleading

Bilaspur, Oct 1 (UNI) Taking cognizance of a lawyer remaining absent from pleading in case for non-payment of fee, the Chhattisgarh High Court has issued notices to the Bar Council of India and four others and sought reply.

Expressing surprise at continuous absence of a lawyer in the case a tahsildar from Dhamtari, Judge Satish Agnihotri prima facie observed that the provision in the 'Waqalatnama' for refusing to plead on non-payment of fee was wrong and immoral.

Apart from the BCI, he issued notices to the Chhattisgarh State Bar Council, the state government, the Chhattisgarh Advocate General and the Rajya Adhiwaqta Sangh.

The 'Waqalatnama' -- approved by the Chhattisgarh Bar Council -- provides that a lawyer can remain absent from pleading in case of non-payment of fee.

UNI XC-PS 1457