SCAORA Writes To CJI Seeking Permission For Movement Of Advocates Residing In NCR Region To Delhi

The letter points out that even though from May 4 onwards offices in Delhi have been permitted to function with 33% strength, however Advocates residing in the NCR region who practice in the Supreme Court are not being permitted to cross the border.

In these circumstances, they have been denied access to the courts, to their offices and also relevant case files. "These members of the Bar are not being permitted by the authorities to commute across the borders, thereby denying them such benefit as also their source of livelihood."

"It is crucial for lawyers to have access to their files kept in their offices/Chambers for effective delivery of justice to their clients. The denial of permission to the lawyers to commute to Delhi from the NCR region precludes them from reaching even those offices which are situated outside the Supreme Court premises and from working from there. Lawyers from across the Delhi borders who need access to their files kept in the presently sealed Supreme Court Chambers are precluded from even applying for due permission to retrieve such files," the letter states.

In such circumstances, the SCAORA has requested the CJI to issue appropriate directions/ orders to the concerned authorities to permit Advocates/ Advocates-on-Record to commute from Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and other NCR areas (across borders) to their offices/ Chambers situated at Delhi/ Supreme Court of India, based on the production of their ID card.

A similar letter has also been addressed to the Delhi High Court at the instance of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, seeking permission for free movement of lawyers living in NCR, in and out of Delhi.