The Bar Board of Delhi (BCD) has finalized a draft of the Delhi Advocates (Protection) Bill, 2023.
The bill defines violence, defines offenders, defines punishment, and provides advocates with compensation and police protection in the event of threats.
It calls for the establishment of a permanent grievance redressal committee at the Delhi High Court and each district court.
A press release from the co-ordination committee of all Delhi district courts’ bar associations states that the committee will be led by the head of the judiciary, or District Judge, along with the President or Secretary of the relevant bar association and a nominee from the Bar Council of Delhi.
The statement read, “For the High Court, the Committee shall consist of the Hon’ble Chief Justice or his nominee, along with the President/Secretary of the Delhi High Court Bar Association and the Chairman or a nominee of the Bar Council of Delhi.”
It is proposed that these committees would take action whenever a problem arises on the court grounds and attempt to resolve it.
“The Committee shall be competent to issue appropriate directions in the facts as are brought before it.” “If the situation warrants, the Committee shall refer the matter to the High Court and Bar Council of Delhi.”
Advocates are also shielded from “illegal arrest” and “malicious prosecution” by the bill.
The bill was prepared by the unique board of the BCD which was going by advocate KC Mittal.
It included Dr NC Sharma, Chairman, Coordination Committee and Raman Sharma, Secretary General, Coordination Committee. The Delhi bar association presidents and secretaries were also on the committee.
By:- Yuvraj Sachdeva, BA+LLB(2nd Semester), RNB Global University
