An extended lockdown has subjected a large number of lawyers across the State to immense financial hardship. The lawyers whose survival is also at the stake have now demanded death claim from the Bar Association.
The lawyers have demanded Rs 5000 per month as part of their death claim they used to get from the Bar Association. Many lawyers in this connection have written to Ranchi Bar Association to cut the share from death claim which their family is to get in case of their death.
As per Ranchi District Bar Association rules, a lawyer is to get Rs 1 lakh to Rs 7 lakh depending upon the years of practice in court in case of death as insurance money. Apart from these the lawyers are also entitled to get Rs 50,000 as mediclaim. The lawyers in the petition to Ranchi Bar Association general secretary have claimed that the Bar Association should cut at the rate of Rs 5000 per month and deposit the money in their account.
However, sources said that the Bar Council Act doesn’t permit such provisions. Hemant Shikarwar, , member of Jharkhand State Bar Council (JSBC) said, “It is unlikely that the Bar Association will accept such demands of lawyers as the act doesn’t permit withdrawal of money before the death.
The money is for lawyers' family members after his or her death. Withdrawal of money before death is not permitted.” Hemant Shikarwar, claimed that the lawyers are facing much difficult situation as they don’t have any other source of income with many lawyers survival is at stake.