Advocates Protection Bill : BCI Calls For Suggestions From Bar Councils, HC Bar Association

The Bar Council of India has called for suggestions on the draft 'Advocates Protection Bill' from the stakeholders including Bar Councils, High Court Bar Associations and Supreme Court Bar Association on or before July 9.

The decision came pursuant to a report submitted by the 7 member committee for framing the draft "Advocates Protection Act" to ensure protection and safety to Lawyers in carrying out their duties, taking note of the recent attacks on lawyers and their family members.

The press release issued by the BCI dated July 2 reads thus:

"The Bar Council of India would like to announce that pursuant to the decision of the Bar Council of India on 10.06.2021 whereby a 7-Member Committee was constituted to draft the Advocates Protection Bill, the Committee has furnished it's report today to the Council and the Council had decided for it's circulation to all the Bar Councils, High Court Bar Associations and Supreme Court Bar Association and also to all other Bars of the country. All the stakeholders have been requested to peruse the draft and provide their inputs, if any, section wise, within a week from today i.e. by/on/before 9th July, 2021 on the Email ID advprotectionbill.bci@gmail.com."

In the earlier meeting dated 10th June, the Council discussed the incident wherein a Jaipur based lawyer, namely Advocate Shri Ram Sharma and his wife were attacked physically, causing them several injuries.

In view of this, other recent similar incidents were also discussed by the Council including the attack on Telangana based lawyer and his wife.

According to the Council, the Advocates Protection Act will ensure adequate protection to members of the legal fraternity so that they can carry on their duties as officers of the court, fearlessly without having to worry about their and their family's safety. 

The Committee included the following members:

1. Mr. S. Prabakaran, Sr. Advocate, Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of India.

2. Mr. Debi Prasad Dhal, Sr. Advocate, Executive Chairman, Bar Council of India Trust.

3. Mr. Suresh Chandra Shrimali, Co-Chairman, Bar Council of India.

4. Mr. Shailendra Dubey, Member, Bar Council of India.

5. Mr. A. Rami Reddy, Executive Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of India Trust.

6. Mr. Shreenath Tripathi, Member, Bar Council of India.

7. Mr. Prashant Kumar Singh, Member, Bar Council of India.

"The Advocates fraternity is literally acting as one of essential wings of the justice delivery system akin to the Police and the Judiciary and while the police and judiciary have access to protection, social security and even privileges; the most important link between the two who argue and present the cases/matters in courts is/are not given proper protection against the nefarious activities of anti social elements." The press release reads.

Further, highlighting the report so far, BCI has said that:

"The Committee has also deliberated upon the need for social security, apart from physical security and protection against illegal arrest and detention and redressal of grievances of Advocates and Bar Associations too. The Committee has endeavoured to take all these connected issues into consideration and drafted the "Advocates Protection Bill". The Bill, if passed by the Parliament will ensure adequate protection to members of the legal fraternity, so that they can carry on their duties as officers of the court, fearlessly without having to worry about their and their family's social and physical safety."

Click Here To Read Press Release