Drafts of Punjab and Haryana advocate protection Bills to be sent to state governments

The State Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana demands the enactment of the Bills at the earliest.

Under Section 6 of the Advocates Act 1961, the council has been assigned to protect and safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of all advocates on its roll. (Representational Photo)

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The State Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has prepared drafts of the Punjab Advocates (Protection) Bill 2023 and the Haryana Advocates (Protection) Bill 2023 to be handed over to the respective state governments.

Bar council chairman Suvir Sidhu said the council would send the draft legislation to the governments through the proper channel. “In the coming days, if adequate steps are not taken and if need be, all advocates from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh will be compelled to gather at a mass congregation or maha panchayat and initiate a peaceful protest (without suspending any judicial work) by participating in a statewide agitation in this regard,” he said.

Sidhu said the council demanded the enactment of the Bills at the earliest. “We sincerely hope that the state governments of Punjab and Haryana will duly consider our genuine request for the enactment of the Bills at the earliest,” he added.

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The council is the apex regulatory and representative body of around 1.5 lakh lawyers from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Under Section 6 of the Advocates Act 1961, the council has been assigned to protect and safeguard the rights, privileges and interests of all advocates on its roll.

Sidhu said that attacks against advocates and cases of false implication against legal professionals had increased manyfold. “Now more than ever, it has become imperative to penalise such acts and protect advocates who discharge their duties by enacting effective legislation making such offences cognisable in the territories of the states of Punjab and Haryana,” he added.

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