Shahdara Bar Association requests members to abstain from work on Friday over alleged deficient infrastructure at Karkardooma Court Complex

Shahdara Bar Association has requested all its members to abstain from work on Friday, January 27 over alleged lack of infrastructure and deficient administration at the Karkardooma Court Complex.

A notice issued by the association stated that its executive committee in a meeting on Wednesday, January 25, unanimously resolved to suspend work until the issues were resolved.

According to the notice, despite several requests to the Judge in charge, sufficient space and staff for delivery of certified copies to advocates were not assigned.

"It is also noticed that the Eco System in the court rooms are either not installed nor many of are working properly and nothing has been done despite written request made by the executive committee time to time," it added.

It also alleged that the lawyers and witnesses, due to a partition between the stenographers' operating space and the dais, were inaudible to the stenographers, leading to issues with recording of evidence.

Further, it took objection to chairs being provided to witnesses and public prosecutors but not lawyers, calling the practice 'undignified' for lawyers.

"Moreover the chairs are being provided for witnesses and the public prosecutors and the lawyers kept on standing, which is very undignified for the lawyer being the officer of the court," the notice read.

The notice also alleged negligence by Public Works Department (PWD) staff towards maintenance of lawyers' chamber blocks in regard to providing electric, civil and horticultural facilities.

The association also objected to the concerned judicial officers avoiding members of the bar by allegedly not appointing LCs and Court Receivers who were not practicing in the Karkardooma Court Complex.

Furthermore, it stated that despite several requests for a meeting of the Chamber Allotment Committee, one wasn't called, leading to deserving members of the bar being deprived of a chamber allotment.

In light of the issues, the notice requested that members abstain from work on Friday and await further instructions. It also requested judicial officers to cooperate and not to pass adverse orders.