Delhi High Court Bar Association decides to call off strike after talks with Law Minister, Chief Justice

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has decided to call off its strike over the pecuniary jurisdiction issue and will resume work from Friday.

The decision was taken after a meeting with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and an assurance from Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya that the Bar’s concerns would be considered.

The DHCBA said the Chief Justice had called upon its executive committee to submit a representation on the issue.

“In view of the meeting with the Hon’ble Union Law Minister and on being called upon by the Hon’ble Chief Justice DHC, who has asked for a representation from the EC DHCBA with an assurance to look into the same, the members are informed that the Executive Committee of the DHCBA has unanimously resolved to suspend its call for abstention from work, for now,” said in a statement.

The bar body also thanked its members for extending their cooperation and solidarity during the abstention.

It, however, clarified that its opposition to the proposed move would continue.

“The efforts of the Bar for the cause will, however, continue unabated.”

Members of the DHCBA have been abstaining from work since July 14 to oppose the proposed increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi’s district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore.

The bar body has raised concerns that the enhancement would substantially reduce the number of civil and commercial cases instituted on the original side of the Delhi High Court.

According to DHCBA, the move could lead to a reduction of nearly 70 per cent filings in such cases and will adversely affect its members.