Delhi HC lawyers extend boycott to July 15; DHCBA calls for complete abstention from physical, virtual hearings

New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) on Tuesday extended its boycott of judicial work to July 15, calling upon its members to abstain from appearing before the Delhi High Court both physically and virtually in protest against the proposed enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi's District Courts from Rs 2 crore to Rs 10 crore.
The decision was taken unanimously at an emergency meeting of the DHCBA Executive Committee held on Tuesday, a day after the Association had called for abstention from work on July 14.
In a resolution passed after the meeting, the Executive Committee appreciated the "full cooperation and solidarity" shown by members in observing the call for abstention on Tuesday.
"The Executive Committee of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) deeply appreciates the full cooperation and solidarity extended by its members in the call for abstention from work on July 14," the resolution states.
The Association said it had unanimously resolved to continue the protest on July 15 in view of the Delhi High Court Full Court's recommendation to enhance the pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Courts from Rs 2 crore to Rs 10 crore, despite what it described as the DHCBA's strong opposition to the proposal.
Accordingly, the DHCBA requested all its members to abstain from appearing before the Delhi High Court on July 15, both physically and through virtual mode.
Earlier on Tuesday, DHCBA President and Senior Advocate N Hariharan visited different courtrooms and appealed to advocates to support the Bar's call for abstention. While most lawyers stayed away from proceedings, Hariharan urged those who had appeared to stand with the Bar, saying the proposed change could have far-reaching consequences for the legal profession.
The DHCBA has consistently maintained that increasing the pecuniary jurisdiction of the District Courts would substantially reduce the Delhi High Court's original civil jurisdiction, impact the practice and livelihood of a large number of advocates, and alter the existing distribution of civil cases in the capital. (ANI)