){kind=link}
The High Court of Delhi has today adjourned the plea seeking financial aid for needy advocates in the form of ex-gratia of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Fives Thousand Only)
A Division Bench of the High Court of Delhi comprising of Chief Justice and Justice Prateek Jalan heard the PIL filed by Advocate Vaibhav Sharma, with a prayer to the Advocates Welfare Fund Trustee Committee and Bar Council of Delhi to pay ex-gratia of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Fives Thousand Only) to the needy advocates during the current crisis. Senior Counsel N. Hariharan appeared on behalf of the petitioner Advocate Vaibhav Sharma.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Sanjay Jain, who is Chairman of the Advocates Welfare Fund Trustee Committee submitted before the Court that under the Committee, a lawyer member of the Trust suffering from serious ailment and undergoing treatment in the hospital, are entitled for reimbursement of the expenses, which he might have incurred. He added that advocates who’re suffering from Coronavirus will also be considered by the Committee if the advocate is a member of the Trust.
Mr. K.C. Mittal, Chairman, The Bar Council of Delhi Chairman Mr. KC Mittal informed the Court that that BCD has already disbursed an amount of more than Rs. 8 Crores to approximately 16,000 Advocates by now. He added that both Bar Council of Delhi and Advocates Welfare Fund Trustee Committee has been working to tie up with prominent hospitals in Delhi to provide facilities for treatment to advocates suffering from coronavirus, and to take care of their hospital expenses.
It was also submitted before the Court that Indigent and Disabled Lawyers Committee of the Bar Council of Delhi has also collected information about advocates suffering from coronavirus, any deaths if have occurred due to the virus, and is examining the applications. A report with respect to the steps taken so far has also been submitted
The Court, without issuing any notice, has adjourned the matter for July 7, 2020.