Delhi judges impose costs on lawyers striking, declining adjournments

NEW DELHI: While lawyers were on strike on Monday, many judges in the district judiciary declined adjournment requests in several matters, imposed costs and adopted a firmer approach. In one such order, a sessions court imposed a cost of Rs 30,000 on a party for non-appearance in a matter where the court is obliged to fast-track hearings. The judge pointed out that despite specific directions from Delhi High Court, no one had initially appeared on behalf of the party and eventually a proxy counsel responded only when the court was “about to pass an adverse order”. While the bench often accommodates requests when the bar goes on strike, routinely handing out dates to proxy lawyers, fines ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 30,000 were imposed in multiple matters on Monday, with several orders citing “for the inconvenience and wastage of judicial time caused”.

In the current case, Judge Dharmender Rana was hearing a civil matter when the defendant allegedly failed to appear owing to the strike call issued by Delhi Bar Coordination Committee across district courts. The court noted that the adjournment plea was “vehemently opposed” by the plaintiff’s counsel, who argued that the matter was time-bound and that despite directions of the high court, none had appeared on behalf of the defendant until a proxy counsel responded at the last moment. Opting not to pass an adverse order, Judge Rana observed, “Without commenting upon the conduct of defendant, matter stands adjourned subject to additional cost of Rs 30,000 to be deposited with Lawyers Welfare Fund, New Delhi district.” He listed the matter for May 30, warning the counsels not to seek further adjournment. The strike was reportedly triggered by a May 17 letter circulated by Delhi Judicial Services Association condemning the “clandestine recording” and circulation of a courtroom altercation video showing an exchange between the president of Rohini Court Bar Association and a sitting judge. The controversy was followed by the judge being attached to the judicial academy and removed from his posting. The Rohini court also witnessed tense scenes on Monday evening, with some judges reportedly being briefly stalled by protesting lawyers while leaving the court complex. Rohini Bar Association, however, disputed accounts suggesting a prolonged confrontation. Rohit Malik, an executive member of the association, described it as a “brief exchange for around 10 minutes”. The lawyers’ strike was withdrawn on Monday night.