DINESH KUMAR MISRA

Corona Pandemic: 

“Glimpse from an advocate’s lenses”

During this lock down period, if there is effect on anyone’s lifestyle the most, then it is the advocate society. The fear of Corona infection has made the life of lawyers passive who once lived an active lifestyle from day to night. Neither they are receiving any calls from litigants nor they have any worries regarding the cases to be listed on next day. Every thing has become uncertain and there is no idea as to when the courts will again start working smoothly in their normal pace.

During the beginning of this lock down period many of the advocates have utilized their time in tackling their pending cases, counters, rejoinders affidavit and other pending matter in their chamber but after several days they started getting bored from these tasks also. Now they were left with watching TV, spending time with apps like face book and whats app etc. These too mentioned above were now no far remained interesting for them. The calls from litigants which used to come every day and night is almost on a decreasing rate, almost advocates are now receiving calls only from those whose bails are pending and the excuse of lock down seems to be sufficient for advocates in making their clients satisfied.

The routine of most of the advocates seems to be intertwined with putting their case files in bag every morning, rushing off their feet the whole day in the courts and again return to their home and plan for the next day in their chambers. Because of this busy schedule the advocates don’t even get to know about when the time, week, months and year passed. But in this scene of lock down all “ VAKEEL SAHABS” are arrested in their homes following the true meaning of HOUSE ARREST. Leaving the litigants apart, the coming of friends, relatives and neighbours is also prohibited in this situation.

Although most of us are enjoying delicious dishes but their taste is now becoming tasteless because advocate’s society is activity and work oriented and for how long they can sit idle?

Majority of Advocates practicing in High court visit different districts and meet the clients and the local advocates and bring cases with them. This continuation takes place weekly for some and monthly for others but now the professional visit is also receiving a setback.

Around 25 to 30% economic condition of most of the advocates is solid, they are capable of under going this lock down for several months but there are also advocates in majority who are practicing in the High Court by coming from different districts. We should not forget these advocates are also keeping their family with them, many of them live in the rented house, bearing school fees of their children, medical and other expenses etc. the management of all these have now become a serious problem for them.

Although suo- moto Allahabad High Court has asked for economic help of the Advocates from the State Government, State Bar Council and Bar Association but till now no satisfactory action is able to take its form.
In the present circumstances it is very difficult to predict as to when the courts will start running on their normal tracks but the increasing wrath of “Corona” can be clearly seen on Advocates. It is this specific class who is in such a helpless condition that it cannot even extend a needy hand for help.
Other businesses can be carried side by side but Advocacy is a kind of profession which can work only when the Courts will work !

So isn’t it a worrying subject ?

DINESH KUMAR MISRA
Advocate, Allahabad High Court Mobile:9415633277,8687120309