Insurance for advocates: Karnataka High Court asks State whether scheme can be introduced on lines of Delhi government move

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday urged the State government to ascertain whether an insurance scheme can be evolved for the benefit of advocates, as was done by the Delhi government last year..A Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka asked the State government to convene a meeting with its officials, office bearers of various bar associations, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), and four public sector insurance companies including New Indian Insurance Company.."Needless to add that the State government will have to consider making the said schemes applicable to eligible members of the Bar, across the State," the Court recorded in its order. .Referring to a similar move by the Delhi government last year, Chief Justice Oka asked whether something similar can be worked out for Karnataka. "Whether, on the lines of Delhi Government, something can be worked out in cooperation with Life Insurance Corporation of India, or any other insurance company?".The Court further directed the Central government to inform the Court whether or not any committee has been set up by the Department of Legal Affairs to frame a structured scheme to provide insurance to advocates and whether any recommendation has been made by the said committee..The Bench granted two weeks' time to the State to respond in the matter..The Court was hearing a case registered suo motu after receiving two letters highlighting the various difficulties faced by the COVID-19 positive patients in the State..Today's directions were passed after a memo was submitted by the Advocates Association of Bengaluru shedding light on the order passed by the Delhi High Court on October 7, 2020..The Delhi High Court had, in October 2020, approved the insurance policy decided by the Delhi government, with the assistance of the Bar Council of Delhi, to implement the Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme..Delhi HC asks Delhi Govt to purchase insurance policies under CM's Advocates Welfare Scheme