No E-Pass Mandatory For Advocates For Movement In Delhi On Production Of Valid I-Cards

A single judge bench of the Delhi High Court today directed that "no authority shall stop any advocate in the NCT of Delhi" from movement during the curfew period without an e-pass, "if he/she produces a valid identity card" proving that he/she is an advocate.

Directing thus, the court disposed of a petition which was praying for the Delhi Police to comply with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority's order dated Apr 19, 2021 which had exempted advocates from producing e-pass for travelling during the curfew period.

Filed by Adv. Dharmendra Kumar, the petition claimed that the petitioner was harassed by the state authorities because he did not possess an e-pass while travelling during the curfew, despite the order exempting advocates from such e-pass requirement.

The court has also directed for the to be communicated to the Commissioner of Police who shall communicate the same to the Deputy Commissioners for dissemination of the same to all police officers.

The petitioner alleged that he was "insulted" and "humiliated" at a checkpost near Dwarka for not having a curfew pass as demanded by the sub-inspector of police, despite informing her of the DDMA order exempting advocates from the e-pass mandate.

The case was being heard by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait.

[Dharmendra Kumar v State of NCT of Delhi]

Click Here To Read Order