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Work out plan for financial help to indigent lawyers during COVID: HC to BCD, advocates trust

Jun 24, 2020, 17:05 IST
PTI
New Delhi, Jun 24 () The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) and the Advocates Welfare Trust to work out a plan to provide some economic relief to their members who have been financially hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The suggestion by the high court came while hearing a plea seeking ex-gratia payment of Rs 25,000 to each member of the trust who is suffering financially in the wake of coronavirus.

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A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan said a writ cannot be issued directing someone to do charity and asked the trust and BCD to consider the petition as a "request for charity".

"These are your own members. Explore possibility of what can be done. Look at setting a criteria for providing ex-gratia," the high court said and added "consider the requirements of medical facilities as well as livelihood".

The bench asked both the trust and BCD to file a report highlighting what they have done till now and what they intend to do in coming future and listed the matter on July 7 for further hearing.

Senior advocate Sanjay Jain, appearing for the trust, said that it has limited funds which are not getting augmented during the COVID-19 pandemic due to limited purchase of its stamps in the present circumstances and fewer contribution from lawyers.

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He said the trust does not get funds from the state or central government and therefore, its fund cannot be disbursed for providing ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 to each member.

Jain also said that soon applications for reimbursement of medical expenses for treatment of COVID-19 would come and funds would be required for that.

The petitioner, Vaibhav Sharma, has urged the trust to take a beneficial view in the prevailing circumstances as there are many lawyers who are unable to make ends meet.

Sharma's lawyer also prayed that the trust be asked to declare COVID-19 as a natural calamity and to provide financial assistance to the indigent advocates.

Advocate K C Mittal, appearing for BCD, said it was already doing its bit and has disbursed around eight crores to around 16,000 advocates.

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He said senior lawyers have been asked to contribute and funds have been diverted from other infrastructure projects to provide relief to lawyers. HMP SKV RKS RKS RKS

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