SC notice to Centre on PIL seeking security for women lawyers

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and the Bar Council of India (BCI) on a plea seeking directions to formulate a scheme towards the social security measures for women advocates.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued the notice while hearing a pubic interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Indu Kaul.

She has sought direction to the Bar Council to formulate a scheme towards the social security measures for women advocates in coordination with the respective state bar councils.

The petitioner raised issues related to the security of women advocates in the court premises.

Indu Kaul cited some incidents, including the murder of female advocate Darvesh Yadav inside the chambers in the court premises in Uttar Pradesh.

She said that there is no security provision like deployment of police at places like chamber blocks, bar libraries, bar offices and car parking.

In the PIL, she has also mentioned that the consuming of liquor by male advocates inside their chambers tend to create fear among the women working there. Women advocates have no option but to follow the sunrise to sunset rule in order to continue active practice. She has, therefore, requested the Court to direct the Centre to provide security to the women advocates in the court premises. IANS