Lawyers' indefinite strike in Delhi continues third day

Proceedings in six district courts here were paralysed Thursday as the indefinite strike by city lawyers entered its third day.

The lawyers are protesting against the "delay in enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of trial courts despite a Delhi High Court recommendation."

The co-ordination committee of bar associations of all the district courts in Delhi, in its meeting last week, decided to abstain from work from Dec 9, till the bill to this effect was tabled in parliament.

The committee said that despite assurances, the proposed bill recommending enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction to Rs.2 crore for the courts, has found no mention in the agenda of ongoing winter session of parliament.

It added that the standing committee on personnel, public grievances, law and justice presented its report dated Nov 28 to parliament whereby it recommended enhancing these courts' pecuniary jurisdiction.

The committee also said that the full bench of the Delhi High Court had recommended enhancing pecuniary jurisdiction from existing Rs.20 lakh to Rs.2 crore.

Committee chairman R.K. Wadhwa said that strike continued for the third consecutive day in all the six district courts - Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Rohini, Karkardooma, Saket and Dwarka - and will be continue Friday too.

He warned that lawyers can organise a 'chakka jam' in the city if the bill is not tabled in the ongoing session of parliament.

A delegation of the co-ordination committee Wednesday evening met president of the Delhi unit of the BJP, Satish Upadhyay, and apprised him of the situation.

"Upadhyay has assured us that he will try to get it cleared," Wadhwa told IANS.