Lawyers from Delhi district court will refuse to work in protest against amended regulations that allow non-judicial officers to handle traffic challan cases. (Representative photo)
The committee has particularly objected to the provision requiring a person whose challenge to a challan is rejected to deposit 50 per cent of the challan amount before approaching the competent court. The committee said the mandatory 50% pre-deposit requirement could also create an impediment for citizens seeking to challenge an adverse decision before a court. The committee has called upon lawyers to assemble outside their respective district court complexes at 11.30 am on Monday for a peaceful protest.
It said it subsequently learnt through media reports that officers including Food and Supplies officials, Tehsildars and officers of District Transport and Enforcement Offices had been notified for the purpose. It said assurances were given during meetings with the law and justice minister that the proposal to appoint SDMs and other departmental officers would not be implemented until the matter was taken up with the Central government. The lawyers’ body, however, said it later learnt that officers from various departments had been notified as authorities for disposal of contested challans.
The decision was taken by the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations of Delhi, which has opposed the proposed transfer of adjudicatory functions from judicial magistrates to sub-divisional magistrates, executive magistrates and officers of various government departments. It has also requested lawyers not to appear before any court, either physically or through virtual mode, on the day.