Punjab and Haryana Bar Council resolves to resort to 'peaceful agitation' if its demand for partial physical hearings is not accepted

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has announced its intention to resort to peaceful agitation if Courts in Punjab and Haryana do not resume partial physical functioning at the earliest..Citing the phased reopening of the economy after the lockdown and the partial resumption of physical hearings in various courts across the country, the Bar Council has directed that the same be done in Punjab and Haryana as well..The Press Note attaches a detailed operating procedure for the reopening of court complexes..The Statement, signed by Bar Council Chairman Karanjit Singh, reads:.“Now when almost all the restrictions have been substantially reduced by the Government of India and also keeping in view pandemic has adversely effected (sic) the legal fraternity which has not been provided any succor or incentive by the government in-term of financial assistance, there is wide spread feeling of frustration and demand of the advocates of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with regard to opening of Courts and starting physical hearings on all courts across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh including Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Bar Council being the Statutory Body is conscious of the pangs of advocates and is equally anxious about the plight of the advocates and the common man. The Judiciary is one of the strongest pillars of this largest democracy in the world which upholds the majesty of law.”.The Letter also records that the Council had made representations to the Chief Justice and the Administrative Committee of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to resume physical hearings along with virtual hearings. The previous communications also highlighted the financial constraints and trials that lawyers were undergoing in view of the pandemic, the lockdown, and restricted functioning of courts..In an ultimatum, the Bar Council has announced that if physical hearings are not resumed by October 12, the Council would be forced to resort to peaceful agitation that would involve:.Chain hunger strikes where five advocates would sit on strike every day in court complexes across the two states including the High Court from October 13, 2020;Boycott of virtual proceedings if the physical functioning is not commenced in a phased manner from October 26, 2020..Read the Press Release here: