Delhi district court lawyers on strike

District court lawyers in the city today went on a day-long strike to protest "rising corruption" in the judiciary.

"Lawyers of the Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Kakardooma, Rohini and Dwarka district courts abstained from appearing before the presiding officers. Even no urgent matter or bail application was being argued," secretary, Delhi Bar Association, Sanjeev Nasiar said, claiming the strike as "complete and successful".

The decision to go on strike was taken following a meeting of the Co-ordination Committee of all Bar Associations of Delhi.

The agitating lawyers demanded there should be necessary amendment in the law of the Prevention of Corruption Act to remove the provisions with regard to prior permission to probe charges against judicial officers.
   
They also demanded that the kith and kin of judges should not be allowed to practice in same courts in order to ensure probity.

A delegation of lawyers would meet UPA Chairperson, Union law minister and Delhi chief minister to demand an appropriate
legislation in respect of corruption in the judiciary, Nasiar said.

The lawyers also protested alleged overlooking of public interest by the High Court in divesting the district courts of original civil jurisdiction in the garb of opening commercial divisions in all high courts of Delhi.