SCBA to boycott official functions till demands are met

The executive committee of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has resolved to boycott official functions with apex court judges, including Independence Day and farwell events, till their demands are met.
The issues relate to chamber allotment, designation of seniors, functioning of Supreme Court registry, listing of matters by the registry, treatment of clerks, facilities for senior citizens and women lawyers, among others.
The executive committee of SCBA, in a meeting, has decided to place the resolutions before the General Body Meeting on July 8.
SCBA President Dushyant Dave said the association has resolved to follow "Mahatma Gandhi's principle of non-cooperation" and the members will not participate in any official functions, including references, Independence Day and Law Day, with the judges and farewell event for retiring judges, till December 2 or till their requests are acceded to.

G Venkatesh Rao, a senior lawyer, said that the Bar and the Bench are two wheels in the carriage of the judicial system and there should not be any conflict between them.
Bar members hold the position of officers of the court, so their interests are paramount as they help and assist the court in rendering justice.

He said grievances of the lawyers should be redressed at the earliest and the Bench should ensure that advocates are treated fairly.
"When lawyers bring disputes to court, they bring it on behalf of the citizens of the country and if the Bar is compelled to go on strike or carry out non cooperation, it does not augur well for the entire judicial system," he added.

The committee said it has written several letters to the administration but nothing has been considered.
SCBA said if its requests are not acceded to within two weeks, it will resort to other measures, including filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court, to ensure that members get the basic facilities.