Lawyers boycott work demanding HC bench in Dharamsala

Lawyers of Dharamsala district court today boycotted work and took out a rally, demanding setting up of a bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court here and removal of the circuit courts in Kangra.
The lawyers have also begun a relay fast-unto-death to press their demands.
District Bar Association spokesperson Jitender Sharma said five lawyers began hunger strike on Tuesday and two more members of the bar joined them today.
The lawyers took out a rally from the judicial complex to the deputy commissioner's office and submitted a memorandum to the Governor through him.
District Bar Association President Tek Chand Rana, who is also on hunger strike, said they had not received any assurance from the authorities on their demands.

"Neither the high court nor the government seems to be keen to listen to us," Rana said, adding they would continue their strike until at least one of their demands is met.

Sharma said six circuit courts were established in Palampur, Baijnath, Indora, Jawali, Nurpur and Dehra in Kangra district by a former Chief Justice of the High Court.
"This was the highest number of circuit courts established in a district. It has affected the livelihood of over 300 advocates in Dharamsala district courts," he said.
"The basic objective of the circuit courts was to deliver justice to the people at their doorstep. If this was the case, then a high court bench should also be established at Dharamsala. The state government too had written to the high court. But nothing has been heard on this subject, though the demand is 30-year-old," he said.

"Last year, we had received an assurance from the high court that the number of circuit courts in Kangra district would be reduced to three... However, a year has passed but no action has been taken," Rana said.