Delhi lawyers protest outside BCI office, SCBA, DHCBA, IAPL condemn BCI – Live Updates

The Delhi Bar Association’s protest against amendments proposed by the Law Commission to the Advocates Act has commenced outside the office of Bar Council of India (BCI)..A huge contingent of lawyers are present outside the office of BCI at Rouse Avenue Institutional Area, New Delhi. They are chanting slogans against BCI Chairman while the leaders at the Bar are continuously making announcements through loudspeakers..The controversy relates to the recent amendments which the Law Commission proposes to make to the Advocates Act, barring lawyers from going on strike and to impose fines on advocates for any misconduct..The Delhi Bar Association yesterday had announced that the lawyers will go on strike to protest against the proposed amendments and that BCI had no authority to recommend any changes to the Advocates Act..President NC Gupta had stated that this was a “complete surrender by the BCI before the judges by recommending suspension of those who participate in strikes”..The BCI had, however, issued a clarification stating that.“Bar Council can never think to weaken the legal fraternity, rather it is there to ensure that nobody could dare to attack their democratic rights. Bar Council of India fully appreciates the genuine stand of the Coordination Committee of Delhi Lawyers. We respect their sentiments and shall sit together to remove the misunderstandings.”.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has also come out in support of the Delhi Bar Association. SCBA Secretary Gaurav Bhatia tweeted that SCBA, in a meeting, has condemned BCI for proposing amendments which adversely affect the legal fraternity..Further the Delhi High Court Bar Association has also lent its support to the strike. President Kirti Uppal said that the views of the DHCBA were not dispensed with before the BCI made such recommendations..“Our stand is clear that the DHCBA or any other stake holder have not been taken into confidence before sending any recomendation by the BCI. Lawyers have a right to go on strike to protect the independence and dignity of the Bar. The Hon’ble Supreme court has recognised this right in the case of Uppal’s case”, said Uppal..Moreover, the Indian Association of People’s Lawyers also emerged with a statement condemning the recommendations. In a press release, it was stated,.“Protests and struggles by the lawyer community have played an immense role in safeguarding and promoting the rights of citizens. The Indian freedom struggle itself had the participation of numerous lawyers and to criminalize protests of the lawyer community is a severe attack on this longstanding contribution of lawyers in upholding constitutional values…”