The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Bar Council of India and the lawyers’ association why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against advocates resorting to strike in violation of a Supreme Court decision that lawyers have no right to strike.
On a plea made by advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO ‘Common Cause,’ a Bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Arun Mishra issued notice to the Delhi High Court Bar Association and Delhi Coordination Committee of District Bar Associations.
The district courts lawyers here have given a boycott call on various occasions over re-determination of pecuniary jurisdiction.
In its plea, the NGO contended that this was in wilful disobedience of the 2002 judgement which held that “lawyers have no right to go on strike, nor can they give any call for boycott, not even on a token strike.”
“Advocates have obligations and duties to ensure smooth functioning of the court. They owe a duty to their clients. Strikes interfere with administration of justice. They cannot thus disrupt court proceedings and put interest of their clients in jeopardy,” the petition of the NGO said.
