The Karnataka High Court today has been informed about constitution of a committee headed by Senior Advocate DLN Rao for collection of funds from the advocates for the benefit of Advocates’ Clerks in need of financial assistance in wake of COVID-19.
The Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB) has informed the court that this committee and the office holders of the Advocates Association have started collecting funds for these Advocates’ clerks.
A division Bench of the Court comprising of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Vishwajith Shetty appreciated that now steps are being taken in the right direction, and enquired about the contribution that has been made till now and the total amount that has been collected. The Court was informed that the advocates have assured a collection of 2.5 Lakhs, and more efforts are being made to collect more funds.
Further, the Court also observed that certain state governments had undertaken to help needy advocates and advocate clerks.The Court observing that the state governments had also decided to help advocates and clerks in need, directed. AAG Dhyan Chinnappa to place before Court the stand of the state government in providing financial relief to the Advocate clerks in need in the State.
Previously the Karnataka High Court had expressed disappointment over failure of of the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) and Advocates Association, Bengaluru (AAB) in raising funds for Advocates’ Clerks who needed financial help, and had stated that they will request the senior members to help those in need. Advocate Anil Kumar who had appeared on behalf of KSBC had informed the Court that they had approached many senior advocates, but still no funds were generated to benefit the Advocates’ clerks.
“What the Bar Association and Bar Council cannot do collectively, we will do through Court order.” – the Court had said.
-India Legal Bureau