The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the Central and Delhi governments, along with the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD), in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) aimed at enhancing transparency within the Advocates’ Welfare Fund. This directive was made on Wednesday by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia. The court has requested that the respondents submit their affidavits, scheduling the next hearing for December.
Call for Transparency
The PIL was filed by the First Generation Lawyers Association (FGLA), which is advocating for the BCD and the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee to publicly disclose comprehensive financial details. These details include the Fund’s income, expenditures, investments, bank accounts, fixed deposits, welfare disbursements, annual accounts, and audit reports. The petitioners are also calling for the establishment of an online platform to ensure this information is regularly updated and accessible to all advocates.
Financial and Legal Context
Under the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act of 2001, the Fund receives contributions from advocates through welfare fund stamps affixed to vakalatnamas and other statutory means. The plea highlights that from 2001-02 to 2020-21, the Fund amassed ₹22.54 crore, of which ₹7.13 crore was allocated to medical and other benefits, including ex gratia payments. By March 4, 2021, the Fund reportedly held approximately ₹15.57 crore, with ₹10.39 crore invested in fixed deposits.
Additional Demands
FGLA’s petition also requests the formulation of a policy to allocate an annual portion of the available funds specifically for welfare initiatives. Additionally, it seeks the development of a scheme that would offer financial support to advocates for up to one year post-enrollment, alongside group life insurance for Fund members.
Digital Advancements
The plea further advocates for a digital system to manage welfare applications. This system would allow advocates to submit applications online, track their status, respond to requests for additional documentation, and receive timely decisions. This PIL was filed with the legal assistance of Advocates Rudra Vikram Singh, Ashirvad Kumar Yadav, Tarshith Bhardwaj, Sanat Vadehra, and Rashmi.
