Supreme Court Refuses To Pass Order Allotting Father's Chambers To Daughter Pursuing Law
On Monday, the Supreme Court of India asked the daughter of a deceased Advocate seeking allotment of her father's chambers (Supreme Court) to write to Lawyers' Chambers Allotment Committee of the Court. A Bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice CT Ravikumar passed the order while hearing the petitioner, who appeared in-person. “How can we pass an order that though you are not...
On Monday, the Supreme Court of India asked the daughter of a deceased Advocate seeking allotment of her father's chambers (Supreme Court) to write to Lawyers' Chambers Allotment Committee of the Court.
A Bench of Justice MR Shah and Justice CT Ravikumar passed the order while hearing the petitioner, who appeared in-person.
“How can we pass an order that though you are not an advocate, we should give you the allotted chamber”, the Bench asked.
“I'll be completing (my course) in four months”, the petitioner replied.
“There are hundreds of advocates who have already applied. It is according to seniority’, the Bench said while extending full sympathy to help the petitioner.
“We have full sympathy; we can help you otherwise but not with a writ of mandamus. Where's the question of you being in possession when you are not an advocate?”
The petitioner submitted that her father had toiled for 30 long years.
“Still, you cannot continue. It's given based on priority. Many other advocates are still waiting. There's a long queue.”, the Bench reiterated.
The petitioner then referred to Rule 7b of the Allotment of Lawyers Chambers Rules, which said that says that the son, daughter or spouse of a deceased advocate, can be allotted the former's chambers provided the respective person is an advocate.
“Completing (the law course) and becoming an advocate is different”, Justice Ravikumar pointed out.
The Court did not adjourn the case even after petitioner asked for the matter to be heard in a week.
Though the Bench was initially inclined to dismiss the matter, owing to the petitioner's repeated requests citing the ill health of her mother etc., it asked her to move the Chambers Allotment Committee.
Case Title: Anamika Dewan vs Registrar SCI and Ors
Case No.: WP (C) No. 50/2023