Stir over separate HC bench intensifies, lawyers court arrest

Hundreds of advocates today courted arrest here to protest the move for creation of a separate bench of the Allahabad High Court for western Uttar Pradesh even as the lawyers' stir over the issue entered its third consecutive week.
The advocates gathered in front of the main gate of the High Court and marched towards the Civil Lines area where police detained them but let them off a few hours later.
The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) had begun its agitation on August 13 in the wake of the Union Law Minister Kapil Sibal having reportedly sought the approval of the state government for creation of a separate bench of the High Court.

While legal practitioners hailing from western region of the state are believed to be by and large in favour of the creation of a new bench, other lawyers are vehemently opposed to the same as such a move is likely to deprive them of a sizeable clientele.
Political opinion, too, seems to be divided over the issue.
The HCBA's stir has in the recent past been supported by local Congress MLA Anugrah Narain Singh, Samajwadi Party MP Kunwar Reoti Raman Singh and BJP spokesman Siddharthnath Singh all of whom have attended the lawyers' body's daily meetings over the issue.

However, the Rashtriya Lok Dal led by Union Minister Ajit Singh, which has its presence in a few districts of western UP, has been pushing for a new Bench.

Meanwhile, the HCBA, which has been extending its strike since August 13, has decided to continue with its boycott of judicial work tomorrow.
With Wednesday being a holiday on account of Janmashtami, the High Court is unlikely to see resumption of judicial work before Thursday.