The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Saturday appealed to the coordination committees of Delhi District Bar Associations to defer or recall their planned indefinite strike from September 8, citing that key concerns on police witnesses testifying via video conferencing have been addressed.
In a letter from BCI Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, the council praised the committees' efforts to protect litigants' rights but highlighted the hardships repeated strikes impose on undertrials, crime victims, and eager advocates. "This is the fourth or fifth indefinite strike call in 2025 alone," Mishra noted, referencing Supreme Court rulings that lawyers have no right to strike or boycott courts. He emphasised that only statutory bar councils can regulate advocates' conduct, warning unsanctioned actions could undermine the profession's credibility.
The strike stems from a September 4 police commissioner's circular allowing formal police witnesses to depose virtually from stations, following a Delhi High Court notification and the lieutenant governor's August 13 order designating such venues. A prior six-day strike in August was suspended after Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured open-minded consultations, and the recent circular specifies material witnesses can appear physically, with judges considering defence requests for in-person examinations.
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Mishra argued these provisions fulfil substantial demands and invited the committees to a joint meeting with BCI and the Bar Council of Delhi on Monday for further deliberations. "This constructive step will preserve the bar's dignity, protect litigants from hardship, and avoid perceptions of frequent, unwarranted strikes," he urged, stressing the need to build on achieved progress without exposing the bar to public criticism.
The appeal aims to foster dialogue, ensuring the legal community's voice is heard while maintaining professional integrity amid ongoing tensions over judicial processes.
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