Delhi HC restrains Bar Council of Delhi from collecting subscription for Rouse Avenue Bar Association

The Delhi High Court has restrained the Bar Council of Delhi from collecting any subscription from advocates for enrolling as a member of the “Rouse Avenue Bar Association”..The order was passed by a Single Judge Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru in an application by the Rouse Avenue Bar Association. It was alleged that although on the last day of hearing, the BCD had stated that it had not floated any bar association in the newly established Rouse Avenue Court Complex, it has now started collecting subscription in the name of the Rouse Avenue Bar Association and had also circulated messages calling upon advocates to ignore other messages sent by individuals..The application forms part of a petition by Rouse Avenue Bar Association seeking recognition as a bar association in terms of the Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001. The Petitioner had moved the High Court after its request for issuance of Advocates’ Welfare Fund stamps was rejected by the BCD..While issuing notice to the BCD in the application, the Court deemed it appropriate to restrain any further collection of subscription fee by BCD in the Petitioner’s name..Pursuant to an earlier direction passed by the Court, the Petitioner’s application seeking recognition as a bar association in terms of the Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001 is pending with the Bar Council of Delhi. The Court had also directed the BCD to refrain from circulating any derogatory messages regarding the Petitioner..The Petitioner was represented by Advocates Munawar Naseem and Sanjay Kumar..The matter would be heard next on May 10..Read the order below:.Bar & Bench is available on WhatsApp. For real-time updates on stories, click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.