"Now Is the Time To Join Hands, 170 Advocates Have Died": P&H Bar Council Stays HC Bar Association's Resolution Seeking Transfer Of Chief Justice

In a significant move, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has stayed the resolution passed by the Executive body of the 'Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association', seeking the transfer of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha.

Stating that "the Unprecedented and precarious situation has compelled the Bar Council to intervene", the Council has called the resolution of the HCBA "wholly unjustified and uncalled for" The issue of mentioning including any other can wait for 3 weeks and can be raised at the appropriate time.

The 'Bar Council of Punjab & Haryana' stays the resolution passed by the Executive body of the 'Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association', seeking the transfer of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha. pic.twitter.com/BFwj1rU7Hd

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 7, 2021

Importantly, the press note released by the Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana states,

"Now the situation is to join hands to save the lives of all the stakeholders of Legal Fraternity. It is not the right time for any agitation. Now it is not the matter of livelihood of Advocates rather it is the safety and health of Advocates it is the time to save the lives of Advocates and their family members."

Further, underling that the Bar Council has been supporting the HCBA and has always strived hard for the Welfare of the legal fraternity, the Council took note of the fact that the The Executive of HCBA passed a resolution today on 7th May demanding of transfer of Hon"ble Cheif Justice of Punjab & Haryana and also boycotting his Court on the demand of stopping the mentioning of cases.

The Council has, in its press release, acknowledged the fact that the whole country is facing an Unprecedented onslaught of Covid- 19 and that the Court work has been affected and it has further stated that the Bar Council is conscious of the entire situation and it had requested the Hon'ble Cheif Justice to take stock of the prevailing circumstances to ensure the safety of Lawyers and Judicial Officers in its last General House Meeting held on 30.04.2021.

"But the Unprecedented and precarious situation has compelled the Bar Council to intervene. The issue of mentioning including any other can wait for 3 weeks and can be raised at the appropriate time," the press release adds.

Thus, the resolution passed by the Executive of HCBA dated 7th May was stayed and the Council expressed hope that the HCBA will take along all the stakeholders in this adversity and we must proactively try to break the chain of transmission by staying home and being safe. 

Importantly, the Council has also stated that more than 170 Advocates have died due to Covid-19 and that the number was increasing every day and the situation was becoming very serious.