Don’t stop advocates during lockdown, if they produce Bar I-card: Delhi HC

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 26

Movement of advocates can’t be restricted during lockdown if they produce their Bar identity card or any other proof of being a practicing advocate, the Delhi High Court has said.

“I hereby make it clear that any authority whosoever shall not stop any advocate in NCT of Delhi if he or she produces the Bar identity card or any proof of his/her being an advocate. I hereby make it clear that no officer of any authority shall humiliate any of the advocates on production of the Bar identity card or other proof, failing which strict action shall be taken against the erring officer as per law,” a single-judge Bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait said on Tuesday.

The HC said strict action would be taken against authorities which restrict movement of advocates during the ongoing curfew for want of e-pass.

The order came on a petition filed by advocate Dharmender Singh who alleged harassment by Delhi Police officers on account of failing to show an e-pass for travel during the curfew.

According to the Delhi government order issued earlier this month, advocates/legal counsels are exempted from restriction on movement if they show a valid ID proof, Singh had contended demanding appropriate legal and departmental actions be taken against the erring officers for violating the order.

The court was told that Delhi Disaster Management Authority had issued an instruction that movement of advocates was allowed during the curfew on production of valid ID card and, therefore, no advocate will be stopped by any police official and or any state government officer.