SCBA President Writes To CJI UU Lalit Regarding Allotment Of Space For Lawyers

The SCBA President in his letter requested the Chief Justice of India to allocate adequate space in the Annexe Building to the SCBA to provide for a library, a lunch room, additional ladies bar room, rooms for the President, the Secretary and Committee Room for the Executive Committee of the SCBA.

He also sought the attention of the Chief Justice of India to the lack of space available for the members of the Supreme Court Bar Association and other lawyers, seeking proper offices for the President, Secretary and a big room to hold Committee Meetings. He has also pointed out the need for a room where lawyers can have lunch as the present lunch room is inadequate for the members who are increasing in numbers by 200-300 every year, and the need for an additional library. These requests have been made in controlling the overcrowding of the lawyers in the courts as bereft of any place to wait they are forced to crowd the courts.

Vikas Singh apprised the current Chief Justice of India that he was assured by the former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra that the entire Annexe Building in front of Court 11 will be allotted for the SCBA. The annexe building was to be made available when the new building at Appu Ghar Complex was to come up where the Registry was to be shifted but despite additional space being designated at the Appu Ghar no place was allotted to the SCBA.

He pointed out that several representations have been earlier made in letters and meetings of the SCBA Executive Committee with the Chief Justice of India have been held but no action has been taken in this regard.

He also pointed out the need of ladies bar room which would be in close proximity to the court rooms as there is only one ladies bar room available for them to sit while waiting for their matters.

The President of the SCBA has referred to an older letter dated 29.08.2022 where he had asked that the allotment of the 3 chambers at the Appu Ghar Complex to the Bar Council of India and the 26 chambers kept reserved for consultation room be dereserved and all 29 chambers be given to the SCBA for use by members.

He apprised the Chief Justice of India that earlier former Chief Justice N. V. Ramana had orally promised to reverse the decision but he could not take any decision in this regard before his retirement. He impressed upon this issue stating that, "our members want to sit on dharna opposing such allotment. On my assurance that the issue is under consideration of the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India, the matter is not being precipitated."

He also stated that the allotment is done by the Chief Justice of India upon the recommendation of the Committee for allotment of chambers and the issue of allotment of Chamber to the BCI had never been placed before the Committee hence the allotment if any is non-est and void and liable to be recalled.

He also pointed out that it was further requested that three large vacant halls in the D-Block of the Additional Building be converted to cubicles for use by members of the SCBA. He further requested that 7-8 big halls lying vacant in the E-Block be also used to either construct chamber or cubicles