Petition for safety of lawyers: Supreme Court says approach BCI

The Supreme Court today declined to entertain a petition filed by NGO Art of Learning seeking non-gender specific safety norms for lawyers across the country..The Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose directed the petitioner to make a representation before the Bar Council of India (BCI) for the prayer sought..The petitioner organisation had sought for directions to the BCI to bring in guidelines ensuring the safety for all members of the legal fraternity, and for the same guidelines to be non-gender specific to include women, men, as well as persons of the third gender..The petition also prayed for these guidelines to extend to all places frequented by lawyers, including courts, chambers, and other places, and to cover aspects of physical safety and prevention of sexual harassment..The petitioner also submitted that problems like consumption of alcohol in chambers and court premises need to be tackled..Art of Learning has also prayed for the implementation of the Visakha guidelines as laid down by the Supreme Court for prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace..In addition to safety measures, reservation for women and the third gender in the elected body of the BCI was also sought..The petitioner foundation has now been directed to approach the BCI with a representation..Corrigendum: This article initially stated that the petition was filed by Art of Living Foundation, when it was filed by Art of Learning. The error is regretted.