Advocate's Murder: BCI urges Rajasthan to pass law for protection of lawyers; asks lawyers to end strike

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Saturday urged the Rajasthan government to pass a law for protection of advocates and their families..This was in light of the gruesome murder of a lawyer in the State in broad daylight and the consequent strike by lawyers. "The Council requests the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Rajasthan to expedite the matter of passing the proposed Act for protection of advocates and their families," a press release issued by the BCI said.The Rajasthan High Court had earlier taken cognizance of the strike and asked the BCI, Rajasthan Bar Council and others to discuss and resolve the issue.Pursuant to the order dated March 2 passed by the High Court, the chairperson of the BCI today contacted the presidents and secretaries of the High Court Bar Associations at Jodhpur and Jaipur both and also called some other the leaders of the Bar.The BCI took note of fact there was abstention from work by advocates throughout the State due to murder of the advocate."Strike and boycott of several courts of Rajasthan is continuing for last several days due to the brutal murder of an Advocate in broad day light. It was also informed that this was not an solitary incident, rather on several previous occasions also, such attacks have been made and the lawyers were killed," a press release by the BCI stated..The BCI, therefore, requested and directed the State Bar Council of Rajasthan to take appropriate measures and to ensure that the strike/boycott is called off before March 9."The State Bar Council shall take all effective measures to implement the aforesaid direction; and it shall forward its report to the Secretary, Bar Council of India latest by the evening of 8th March, 2023, so that Hon’ble High Court of Rajasthan could be made acquainted with the latest developments," stated the press release..The press release further said BCI member Suresh Chand Shrimali, who hails from Rajasthan, vehemently pressed for passing of law for the protection of advocates of the State.The Council itself has realized the need of an effective law for the protection of lives and properties of the advocates and their family members, the press release stated.Hence, it requested the Rajasthan government and Chief Minister to expedite passing of law in this regard.The press release also highlighted that the BCI had submitted a draft of Advocates Protection Law to the Union Ministry of Law in the year 2021. "However, the same is still pending.....The Council resolves to send a reminder requesting the Hon’ble Union Minister of Law and Justice for taking an early decision in this regard," said the press release..[Read Press Release]