DHCBA writes to CJ of Delhi HC for waiver of license fee and min electricity charges in respect to Lawyer's Chamber [Read Letter]

On Thursday, the Delhi High Court Bar Association has written to the Chief Justice, Delhi High Court regarding the waiver of of license fee and min electricity charges in respect to Lawyer's Chamber located in the Court premises.

The DHCBA Secretary contended that the Chambers have been completly closed pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic situation from 24-03-2020 and remained totally inaccessible in the initial period of the Lockdown and it is only after favourable consideration of the represenation made the HC that the Lordships allowed grading opening of the Chambers later in the Lockdown period.

However, he submitted that the attendence to various Chambers remained neglible. He asserted that this is perphaps due to the very limited hours of operation at Chambers or out of fear of fresh surge of the COVID-19 cases.

It thus has been contended that it is safe to say that the Chambers have hardly been put to any use by the allottes.

The Secretary mentioned that during these unprecedented times of trouble Lawyers are no exception, The Community has been severly hit and facing financial distress likely as others.

It has been put forward that Muncipality agency continued to impose min electricity charges in respect of the Chambers while practically, no electricity has been consumed. It has added to the financial difficulties of the Bar Members.

It has thus been pleaded that the license fee lieved to the Allottees of the Lawyer's Chambers situated at the Court premises be waived off from 24-03-2020 until the work rsumes.

Inter alia, directions have been sought to the New Delhi Municipal Corporation to waive off/ withdraw the min electricity charges in respect to the Lawyer's Chambers from 24-03-2020 until normalcy establishes.

Read Letter Here: