HC lawyers call off strike

Allahabad High Court Bar Association president K N Mishra said: “After my meetings with the Chief Minister and the Chief Justice (CJ) of the High Court,it has emerged that there is no proposal to set up a separate bench. Therefore,the strike has been called off and the lawyers will join legal work Thursday.’’

On the demand raised by western UP lawyers,Mishra said: “Anybody can raise a demand. As far as we are concerned,there is no doubt that there is no such proposal. We have met the Chief Justice of India (CJI),the Union Law Minister,the CM and also the CJ. There is no room for any doubt.’’

Mishra’s meeting with the CJI and the Law Minister had taken place on August 19 during which he was assured that there was no proposal to set up a western UP bench. However,the strike was not called off with certain media reporting that an opinion has been sought by the CM and the CJ.

Lawyers of more than 20 districts in western UP have been demanding a separate bench on grounds that Allahabad is far for litigants.

HC lawyers have,however,argued that a separate bench,besides being unconstitutional,would tell on the quality of justice delivery.

Western UP lawyers to strike till Aug 30

Lawyers in western UP continued their stir for 15th day Tuesday,leading to a sharp increase in the number of undertrial prisoners in different district jails. He said further course of action will be decided in Noida August 31.