The Allahabad High Court has instructed district judges in Uttar Pradesh not to distribute strike resolutions from Bar Associations. This decision was made by a bench of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Gautam Chowdhary. They noted that frequent strikes tarnish the legal profession's reputation. The court was informed that Bar Associations often pass strike resolutions, which district judges then circulate, causing courts to halt proceedings and leaving litigants confused.
Representative image
The court expressed hope that district lawyers would adhere to the State Bar Council's resolution to hold condolence meetings at 3:30 pm, preventing disruption of the entire day's work. "We are at a loss to understand as to why only in the state of Uttar Pradesh the lawyers have to call a condolence meeting at 10 am and thereby obstruct the court working for the whole day," the court stated. It emphasised that with an already significant backlog of cases, any additional delays due to strikes or condolence meetings are unwarranted.
Impact on Legal Profession
K R Chitra, a Supreme Court lawyer, highlighted issues faced due to frequent strikes at Gautam Buddha Nagar's district judgeship. She mentioned being harassed because of these strikes and noted that some advocates were engaging in activities beyond their professional duties, damaging the legal profession's reputation. Her concerns prompted the court to stress the need for lawyers to reflect on their actions and restore public trust in their profession.The court acknowledged that most lawyers across districts oppose strikes, attributing them to a minority who disregard Supreme Court rulings. It urged lawyers to introspect and regain the noble profession's dignity. The court's order dated September 25 highlighted this sentiment: "We are conscious that most lawyers throughout the districts are opposing the idea of strikes, and it is a handful of lawyers who at the drop of the hat resort to strike in utter disregard of the law declared by the Supreme Court."
Future Proceedings
The court has scheduled further hearings for October 22. This ongoing issue highlights the tension between maintaining professional integrity and addressing grievances within the legal community. The High Court's directive aims to balance these concerns while ensuring justice is not delayed for litigants due to unnecessary disruptions.The High Court's intervention underscores its commitment to upholding judicial efficiency and professionalism. By addressing these challenges, it seeks to enhance public confidence in the legal system and ensure timely justice delivery for all citizens.
Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Sign in with Google