PIL filed by SC Bar Clerks Association seeking law for social security benefits; SC issues notice to Centre, States and BCI [Read the Petition]

A pro bono publico writ petition has been filed before the apex Court, by the Supreme Court Bar Clerk's Association as represented by Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, "questioning the continued inaction and failure" on the part of the Centre, the States and The Bar Council of India, "to enforce and implement the fundamental rights namely, right to Social Security measures guaranteed under Art. 21 of the Constitution of India thereby causing untold hardships and injury to the interests of the Advocates' clerks in India."

The petition hence demands the enactment of a law for the implementation of social security benefits for advocates' clerks, relying on their Fundamental Right to social security under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu has issued a notice to the Centre, States and the Bar Council of India in this regard.

The petition says, "However, the service conditions of Advocates' clerks have not been regulated by any law in India. Both the Union of India and States have long overlooked and neglected the plight of Advocates' clerks. Even though some clerks in the legal sector are generously paid by the Advocates and litigants, but this generosity is not a substitute for the social security benefits as a legal entitlement."

The Advocates' clerks are employed by the Advocates to assist them in their legal work.  Their employment conditions are governed by the contracts - whether written or unwritten.

They submitted that the Advocates' clerks have been suffering untold hardships and miseries because of the lack of social security measures. Even after working for four to five decades in the service of justice, they do not get any benefits except some charity. Few of the members of Petitioner Association have crossed the age of 65 years, but have working to meet their livelihood because they are not entitled to any pension.

Pre mature death of some clerks has exposed the families to poverty. Sick clerks get no medical aid. Lack of pension is a serious concern in the old age exposing them to mercy of grown up children.

Demanding social security, the petition contends, "The petitioners submit that the Union of India and the States are jointly and severally liable to implement the right to social security guaranteed to the Advocates' clerks under Art 21 of the constitution, by enacting a legislation under Entry 23 of the List-III of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Rights flowing from Art 21 are not merely negative in content, but are also positive casting obligation on the States and the Union to implement by incurring necessary expenditures."

It demands that the legislation should include a provision declaring right to compensation to the dependants on premature death of Advocates' clerk, right to compensation for disability incurred during the course of employment, right to pension on  retirement at the age of 65 years (including surviving wife), right to medical benefits for serious ailments, etc.

Also, a provision constituting an Advocates' Clerks Welfare Fund at the State level, constituting a Board at the State level headed by a retired Judge of the High Court for disbursal of benefits to the Advocates' clerks and for issuance of stamps of appropriate amount by the State Governments to be compulsorily affixed on the Vakalatnama.

The State of Andhra Pradesh is the first State to establish a Fund by enacting a law to promote welfare of Advocates' clerks.  However, as the petition notes that, even these benefits granted are not uniform and are not fully in tune with Art. 21 of the Constitution. Besides, the States of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Orissa have enacted legislations in this regard.

Read the petition here.