Can Insurance Scheme Be Formed For Advocates Like Done By Delhi Govt? Karnataka HC Asks State Govt

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar orally asked the state government "Whether on the lines of Delhi Government something can be worked out in cooperation with Life Insurance Corporation of India, or any other insurance company."

In its order it noted that "Needless to add that the State government will have to consider making the said schemes applicable to eligible members of the Bar, across the state."

The direction followed after a memo was submitted by the Advocate's Association of Bengaluru bringing to the notice of the court the order passed by the Delhi High Court, on October 7, 2020.

By its order, the Delhi High Court had approved the insurance policy decided by the Delhi Government, with the assistance of the Bar Council of Delhi, to implement the Chief Minister Advocate Welfare Scheme. The Single Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has approved the policy which will provide medical and life insurance to 29077 advocates residing in Delhi.

Chief Justice Oka said "We grant two weeks-time to enable the state government to respond." It also directed the Central government to inform on whether any Committee has been set up by the Department of Legal affairs, to frame a structured scheme to provide insurance to advocates and whether any recommendation has been made by the said committee."

The directions were given during the hearing of a suo-motu petition, initiated after two letters written to it highlighting the difficulty faced by patients tested positive for coronavirus in getting immediate medical treatment at affordable prices.