The Delhi High Court recently urged the Delhi government to promptly take further steps to enact the Advocates Protection Bill in Delhi [Deepa Joseph & Anr vs Union of India & Ors]..The Court was told that, according to a status report filed by the Delhi government's law department in September 2024, the final draft of the Delhi Advocates Protection Bill was pending consideration by the Council of Ministers in Delhi before a policy decision is taken on its enactment. However, a copy of this draft had yet to be shared with the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi. It, therefore, moved an application urging the Court to direct the government to share a copy of the draft Bill with the Committee. .On April 21, Justice Sachin Datta ordered the Delhi government to share a copy of the draft Bill with the Committee. “The limited request of the applicant is that the final draft of Advocate Protection Bill, 2024 be provided to them, so that they get an opportunity to give any representation that they seek to with regard to the provisions thereof. Application allowed. The GNCTD is directed to provide a draft of the Advocate Protection Bill, 2024 to the applicant,” the Court directed. .The Court proceeded to urge the Delhi government to expeditiously enact the Bill.“Let the GNCTD take further expeditious steps, as may be deemed expedient, for enacting the bill,” the Court said. .The matter will be heard next on May 28. .Advocates Aakriti Jain and Abhinav Sharma appeared for Delhi government.Advocate Ajay Kumar Agarwal appeared for the Bar Council of Delhi. Advocates KC Mittal and Keshav Poonia appeared for the applicant-committee..[Read Order]
