Pay Dues Of Panel Lawyer Or Face Exemplary Cost: Punjab & Haryana High Court To Union Govt

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Union Government to pay the "undisputed admissible" amount of over Rs.13.21 lakhs to a senior panel lawyer who appeared for the Union of India and if the payment is not made within stipulated time, an exemplary cost will be imposed.

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj said, "the undisputed amount which remains outstanding is Rs.13,21,780/-. The present writ petition is accordingly disposed of with a direction to the respondents to release the undisputed admissible amount in favour of the petitioner within a period of 08 weeks of receipt of certified copy of this order. In case the amount is not released within the said period of 08 weeks, the petitioner shall be entitled to interest @ 6% per annum with effect from the date of institution of present petition till its actual disbursement."

The Court further said, "It is made clear that in case, the remuneration as directed by this Court is not paid within the aforesaid period, the respondents shall be liable to pay exemplary costs."

The plea was filed by Vikram Bajaj, who in his capacity as Senior Panel Counsel for Union of India sought directions to release the payment of the fee bills aggregating to Rs. 70,11,493 for appearing before the Armed Forces Tribunal, Chandi Mandir.

A committee headed by the District & Sessions Judge (Retired) was constituted by the Court to decide the undisputed amount of dues. The Committee held various proceedings and afforded various opportunities to the respective parties to reconcile the accounts and upon consideration thereof has furnished its report dated 09.07.2024.

As per the said report, the undisputed amount is Rs.13,21,780, with respect to a sum of Rs. 2,36,800, the details could not be reconciled, hence there is an element of dispute qua the same.

During the proceedings, the Court also noted that, the remuneration of the members of the Committee as determined by this Court has not been paid.

"Learned counsel for the respondents-UOI shall furnish an affidavit about release of the dues of the members of the Committee within a period of 04 weeks before this Court," the Court directed.

In the light of the above, the plea was disposed of.

Mr. H.C. Arora, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Anil Chawla, Sr. Panel Counsel, Advocate for respondents-UOI.

Title: Vikram Bajaj v. Union of India and others

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (PH) 172

Click here to read/download the order