SUNIL GUPTA Vs. STATE OF M.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner, an elected member of the State Bar Council, Madhya Pradesh has filed this writ petition praying for a direction to the respondents-authorities for modifying the orders issued under Section 144 of the Cr.P.C. (commonly known as Corona lockdown orders) for exempting and permitting the mobility and movement of the junior/associate advocates and regularly employed clerks with the advocate's offices without any obstructions within the district limits of at least three districts of the State of Madhya Pradesh viz. Jabalpur, Indore and Gwalior.

(2.) Shri Siddharth Gupta, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the members of the Bar especially at Bhopal and Benches at Jabalpur, Indore and Gwalior are facing difficulty because the State Government has imposed lockdown/Corona curfew in the State till 17.05.2021. Even if the Courts are functioning by virtual mode, the advocates have to attend their office and their juniors and clerks have also to come to assist them. Since the restriction has been placed on movement of citizens everywhere, the Government authorities may be required to issue necessary passes for the advocates, their colleagues/juniors and advocate clerks to attend their office.

(3.) Shri Rajeshwar Rao, learned Government Advocate appearing for the State submits that the concerned advocates, their associate advocates and clerks may apply either on-line or off-line, for necessary passes on the specified routes for visiting their office, through the Bar Association of the individual place concerned to the District Magistrate of the area, who shall look into their grievances and do the needful.