Rajasthan High Court Bar Association has decided to boycott the Diwali Sneh Meet organised by High Court administration raising questions on the working of High Court Chief Justice MM Srivastava.
The Bar Association has written letters to President of India Draupadi Murmu, Supreme Court Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal complaining about the functioning of the Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice.
High Court Bar Association Jaipur president Prahlad Sharma said that the High Court is not abiding by the orders of Supreme Court.
“Supreme Court in a case between District Bar Association V/s Ishwar Shandilya has directed High Courts to constitute a grievance redressal committee to resolve issues of advocates. Rajasthan High Court had set up the committee on January 16, 2024. But not a single meeting has been organised so far despite the fact that Bar Association has given nine representations to the chief justice,” Sharma said.
The committee consists of Chief Justice, two senior judges, Bar Council Chairman, Bar President and advocates.
More than 3,000 bail applications pending
High Court Bar Association Jaipur president Prahlad Sharma said that more than 3,000 bail applications are pending with the High Court. Accused are lodge in jail.
“We had demanded Chief Justoce to create special bench to hear pending bail applications as the Court will be closed for 9 days due to Diwali festivities. But he declined our demand,” he said
Enraged with this, High Court bar members have decided to boycott Diwali Milan Samaroh.
What are the demands of Advocates?
- Meeting of Grievance Redressal Committee should be held regularly.
- There should be improvement in roaster system of the High Court.
- Cause list should be regulated, cases of urgent nature should be prioritised and suggestions of bar should be included.
- High Court should function in a hybrid mode – through VC and physically.
- Facilities should be developed for Video Conferencing. Currently there is either no facility or have connectivity issues.
- Special bench should be constituted for bail applications.
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