[COVID-19 crisis] Rs 8.98 lakhs collected by way of donations to aid distressed Advocate Clerks: AAB tells Karnataka HC

The Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB) today informed the Karnataka High Court that an amount of Rs 8,98,000 have been collected by way of donations for rendering financial aid to Advocates' Clerks in need in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. .Appearing for AAB, Advocate Anil Kumar further submitted that the committee headed by Senior DLN Rao would also formulate a scheme shortly and decide the amount of money to be disbursed to each advocate clerk. .Last week, the AAB had informed the Karnataka High Court that a committee headed by Senior Advocate DLN Rao has been constituted in order to collect funds from the advocates for the benefit of distressed Advocates' Clerks amid COVID-19..Committee headed by DLN Rao has been constituted for collection of funds for Advocate Clerks: Advocates Association informs Karnataka HC.Noting that "constructive steps have been taken" on the issue, a Disivison Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka opined today that, "Similar steps must be taken across the state.".Kumar informed that there are around 300 clerks in the city of Bangalore and that the AAB would cater to their needs. .Financial aid to lawyers' clerks amid lockdown: Karnataka HC urges State Bar Council, Advocates Association to find solution.With respect to the advocate clerks in other districts, Kumar has urged the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) to take lead and undertake similar initiatives for the benefit of distressed clerks. .Appearing for the KSBC, Advocate Natraj assured the Court that he would look into the matter at the earliest. .When asked about the position of the State Government to render such aid, Additional Advocate General Dhyan Chinnappa sought time to seek instructions. .The matter will be next heard on June 19. .Karnataka HC seeks State government's response in plea seeking financial assistance to Advocates Clerks amid COVID-19 Lockdown.No need to entertain IA for printed cause lists, High Court.During the hearing, the petitioner's counsel, Advocate Murthy Naik, told the Bench that he had moved an Intercolutory Application seeking for the registry to continue the printing of cause lists..However, the Court declined to entertain the same, remarking, ."We have seen that Lawyers can survive without printed cause lists now."Chief Justice Abhay Oka.Adding on, the Bench also pointed out that paper usually consumed is not being wasted at the moment. .The Court also added that the IA was beyond the scope of the petition before it. Therefore, the Court allowed the petitioner the withdraw the application.