"Members Of Bar Treated As Complete Strangers," SCBA Writes To CJI Expressing Concern Towards Restriction On Use Of Auditorium, Parking Spaces, Chambers Etc

The Supreme Court Bar Association has written to the Chief Justice of India expressing concern towards the conditions imposed on the bar members with regard to the use of auditorium, particularly the upcoming event for Justice Vineet Saran's retirement. Referring to the conditions imposed in communication dated 7th May, 2022 regarding use of the auditorium, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President of SCBA has stated that the members of the Bar are being treated as complete strangers to the institution while the Registry staff including Class-lII & Class-IV staff are treated as the owners. The Association has therefore rejected the SOP and has instead decided to hold the farewell in the Supreme Court lawns till such time ' they are not given the auditorium with the due respect that the Bar deserves' With regard to restriction in the SOP directing utilisation of only 50% seats, the letter has pointed out that even as per DDMA guidelines, there is no restriction of seating in an auditorium or cinema hall and 100% seating capacity is permitted. The letter has further stated that the members of the Bar have a harrowing time everyday in parking their cars in the Supreme Court, but for some unknown reason at the behest of one Registrar, Mr. Avni Pal Singh, the said parking is not available to the members of the Bar causing daily inconvenience to the members of the Bar.