Lawyers' strike cripples Delhi courts

Proceedings in six Delhi district courts were paralysed Monday following a strike by lawyers against the "delay in enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of trial courts despite a Delhi High Court recommendation" in this regard.

The co-ordination committee of all district court bar associations said the strike was successful in all the six district courts -- Patiala House, Tis Hazari, Rohini, Karkardooma, Saket and Dwarka.

It said the decision for enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction from the existing Rs.20 lakh to Rs.2 crore was taken by a high court full bench via a Nov 21, 2012 resolution after considering submissions from all bar associations concerned and the same was recommended to the central government for amending the Delhi High Court Act.

Saket Bar Association additional secretary Subhash Solanki said: "Two years have passed but nothing has been done."

A delegation of the co-ordination committee Monday met Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and apprised him about the situation.

New Delhi Bar Association president and co-ordination committee member R.K. Wadhwa said: "Law minister has assured us that he will raise this issue in the winter session of parliament and try to get it cleared."

Shahdara Bar Association secretary Vinod Kumar Bhardwaj said: "We have urged the central government to take appropriate steps so that bill for pecuniary jurisdiction may be passed in the coming winter session of parliament."