Delhi HC bar calls for strike Wednesday

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) called for a strike a for Wednesday to protest Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda's decision to table a bill to enhance the pecuniary jurisdiction of the district courts in parliament this week.

Calling for "total abstention from work" Wednesday in protest against the decision, the DHCBA said: "It is a matter of regret that such a unilateral assurance has been given without even affording an opportunity of hearing to the principal stakeholder - the DHCBA."

The association's decision to go on a strike came a day after the district court bar associations suspended their week-long strike in all six districts courts in the capital on the issue.

The DHCBA and the district court bar associations have been in loggerhead for several years now over the bill - which plans to reduce workload of the Delhi High Court by transferring thousands of civil suits, valued up to Rs.2 crore, to the six district courts.

A circular of DHCBA said: "By a decisive majority, the executive committee has resolved to call for a total 'abstention from work' on Wednesday. A march to the parliament will also be held in the next few days."

DHCBAs honorary secretary Abhijat said they will also make a representation to the union law minister along with the report of the internal committee of the judges of the high court recommending enhancement of jurisdiction to only Rs.50 lakh.

Gowda Monday assured the representatives of Delhi district courts lawyers that the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2014, would be tabled before the cabinet Wednesday and by Thursday it would be tabled before the Lok Sabha. Following this, the committee had suspende d their indefinite strike.