"Not the right time for any agitation:" Punjab & Haryana Bar Council stays HCBA resolution demanding transfer of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has stayed the resolution passed earlier today by the Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association (HCBA) which demanded his transfer of Chief Justice, Ravi Shanker Jha to another High Court and to boycott the court of CJ until he is transferred..A statement by the Bar Council said that the HCBA resolution was "wholly unjustified and uncalled for" adding that given the unprecedented onslaught of COVID-19 currently prevailing, "it is not the right time for any agitation."."The Bar Council (has) all along supported the HCBA and always strived hard for the welfare of the legal fraternity. But the unprecedented and precarious situation has compelled the Bar Council to intervene. The issue of mentioning including any other can wait for 3 weeks and can be raised at the appropriate time. Now the situation is to join hands to save the lives of all the stakeholders of Legal Fraternity. It is not the right time for any agitation. Now it is not the matter of livelihood of Advocates rather it is the safety and health of Advocates. It is the time to save the lives of Advocates and their family members. Bar Council finds this resolution wholy unjustified and uncalled for," the Bar Council resolution signed off by Chairman, Minderjit Yadav said..The Bar Council highlighted that the pandemic is likely to peak in the next 3-4 weeks. The pandemic has also affected the courts, it was pointed out. .With the whole country reeling under the havoc caused by the exponential surge in COVID-19 infections, the Bar Council had requested the Chief Justice to take stock of the prevailing situation and ensure the safety of lawyers and judicial officers in the last General House Meeting held on April 30. .The statement further said that the Bar Council is receiving daily reports concerning the death of several advocates due to COVID-19. The names of 39 such lawyers were included in the statement."It is learnt that more than 170 Advocates have died due to Covid-19. The number is increasing every day. The situation is becoming very serious.".While staying the HCBA resolution, the Bar Council further stated, "We earnestly hope the HCBA will take along all the stakeholders in this adversity and we must proactively try to break the chain of transmission by staying home and being safe. We as a learned class is expected to heed to the medical advice.".Earlier today, the HCBA demanded the transfer of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha to some other High Court and decided that it would boycott Chief Justice Jha's Court until he is transferred..Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Association seeks transfer of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha; resolves to boycott CJ Court until then.The HCBA alleged that the working of the High Court during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very problematic and that important matters like those pertaining to bail, habeas corpus, and detention are not being listed..On February 1, a similar resolution was passed to transfer the Chief Justice out of the High Court in view of the continued reluctance of the High Court to resume physical functioning.