Newasa Taluka Bar Association Newasa Through Its President v. The Chairman The Bar Council Of Maharashtra And Another

*1*

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD WRIT PETITION (STAMP) NO. 10579 OF 2020 NEWASA TALUKA BAR ASSOCIATION, NEWASA.

VERSUS

THE CHAIRMAN, THE BAR COUNCIL OF MAHARASHTRA AND GOA AND ANOTHER ...

Shri R.S.Sadaphule, Advocate for the petitioner. Shri D.R.Kale, Government Pleader, for Respondent No.2/ State. ...

CORAM: RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.

DATE :- 05th May, 2020 Per Court:

This matter is taken up through Video Conferencing by Vidyo App during the nationwide lock-down on account of COVID-19 pandemic. The petitioner Newasa Taluka Bar Association has put forth prayer clauses B, C and D, as under :- "B) The respondents may kindly be directed and ordered to provide financial aid during Covid-19 pandemic situation to needy advocates near about Rs.50,000/- per advocate as a financial assistance.

C) Pending the hearing and final disposal of present writ petition, respondents may kindly be directed and ordered to provide financial aid during Covid-19 pandemic situation to needy advocates near about Rs.50,000/- per advocate as a financial assistance."

D) Ad-interim relief in terms of prayer clause (C) may kindly be granted."

*2* The learned Government Pleader submits that litigants or organizations are developing a tendency of rushing to the High Court with such petitions.

When called upon to state as to whether, the petitioner has moved any request before the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa for seeking financial assistance to junior-most lawyers and those affected by Covid-19 pandemic, the learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has not approached the nodal body. The petitioner is an association of advocates at Newasa taluka, District Ahmednagar. Recently, while dismissing a petition moved before the Honourable Supreme Court by Advocates Pawan Prakash Pathak and Alok Singh, for creation of an emergency fund for advocates in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, the Honourable Supreme Court has observed that lawyers cannot be allowed to file pleas as petitioner-inperson and that the Bar Council of India (BCI) can look into the issue.

Considering the above, this Writ Petition is disposed off. The learned advocate for the petitioner submits that liberty may be granted to the petitioner to approach the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa for putting forth the above reproduced prayers. The said request is accepted.

*3* be at liberty to deal with the request of the petitioner as they deem fit proper and appropriate.

kps (RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.)