GHCAA Writes To Ahmedabad Police Commissioner To Permit Advocates To Travel From Residence To Offices [Read Letter]

The Gujarat High Court Advocates' Association has written to the Ahmadabad city police commissioner to permit Advocates to commute from their residence to offices.

In its letter, attention has been drawn to the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs today, where a categorical provision has been made allowing the self-employed persons to carry on their routine activities.

It is urged that hough the Notification mentions by way of example electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, and carpenters, and does not include advocates, the list is clearly illustrative and not exhaustive.

"That the intention of the notification is to permit all the self employed persons to resume the work, which in my humble opinion include advocates", writes Senior Advocate and GHCAA President Yatin Oza.

Accordingly, it is requested "to issue necessary instructions at the earliest to the police force under your command, to permit the advocates to commute between their residence and office, on verification of I-card".

Oza asserts that as far as advocates practicing in the Gujarat High Court are concerned, the Bar Association (GHCAA), has issued an identity card to all the Registered Advocates, which may be considered as sufficient proof of an advocate practicing in the High Court. For other advocates practicing in other courts, the Bar Council of Gujarat has issued identity cards, which may be considered as a proof of a person practicing as an advocate.

In view of the nation-wide lockdown being extended until May 3, To mitigate hardship to the public, select additional activities have been allowed by the Home Ministry, which will come into effect from 20 April, 2020. These limited exemptions will be operationalised by States/ UTs/ district administrations based on strict compliance to the existing guidelines. Also, before allowing these select additional activities, States/ UTs/ district administrations shall ensure that all preparatory arrangements with regard to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for social distancing in offices, workplaces, factories and establishments, as also other sectoral requirements are in place.

Specified Commercial and private establishments will be allowed to operate, including Services provided by self-employed persons, e.g., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, and carpenters.

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