Legal work at the Punjab and Haryana High Court remained suspended on Friday after the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association (PHHCBA) announced a one-day abstention from court proceedings. The decision was taken in solidarity with advocates protesting against the implementation of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) Policy.
According to an official notice issued by the Bar Association’s Executive Committee, the move is aimed at supporting lawyers who are currently observing a hunger strike against the LADC Policy. The association urged all its members to extend full cooperation and participate in the protest to make the collective effort effective.
The notice, signed by Honorary Secretary Parampreet Singh Bajwa, stated that the suspension of work would be for one day only. As a result, regular hearings and legal proceedings at the Punjab and Haryana High Court are expected to be affected throughout the day.
The ongoing agitation stems from opposition to the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) Policy, with protesting advocates expressing concerns that the policy could adversely impact the professional opportunities and independence of practicing lawyers. Several bar associations across Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have also extended support to the movement in recent days.
Litigants and lawyers have been advised to check the status of their listed cases before visiting the court, as many matters may be adjourned due to the work suspension. Court administration is expected to resume normal functioning once the one-day protest concludes.
Leave a Reply