SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, January 30: The indefinite strike by lawyers in Dhanbad continued for the second consecutive day on Friday, with the Bar Association deciding to intensify the protest against what it described as the rigid attitude of district administration officials.
Bar Association general secretary Advocate Jitendra Kumar said the strike would continue until the wall blocking the lawyers’ entry route to the court premises is removed.
‘No Entry, No Work,’ Say Lawyers
Advocate Kumar questioned how lawyers could attend court proceedings when the designated entry route had been blocked by a wall.
“Since the district administration has blocked the lawyers’ entrance route, how can advocates enter the court premises? Until the barrier is removed, the indefinite strike will continue,” he said.
He added that around 5,000 practising lawyers have been forced to stay away from work as the administration failed to honour its earlier assurance.
Administration’s Appeal Rejected
On behalf of Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Lokesh Barange met the protesting lawyers and appealed to them to call off the strike.
The SDM assured the Bar Association that a permanent solution would be worked out once the Deputy Commissioner returned to the district. However, the Bar Association rejected the proposal, stating that the DC is out of station till February 2 and lawyers cannot wait indefinitely.
Bar Association to File Defamation Case
The Bar Association also announced its decision to file a defamation case against the Civil Surgeon, accusing the health department of blocking the lawyers’ entry route.
Advocate Jitendra Kumar said the entrance had earlier been inaugurated by Justice S.P. Sinha, but health department officials allegedly constructed a wall overnight, blocking access.
“This is an insult to the judiciary. Blocking an entrance inaugurated by a sitting judge amounts to defamation, and we will move court against it,” he said.
Lok Adalat Proceedings to Be Boycotted
The lawyers also decided to boycott Lok Adalat proceedings scheduled for Saturday, further escalating the protest.
Acknowledging the inconvenience faced by litigants, the Bar Association said the lawyers had no option.
“We understand the difficulties of litigants, but without an entry route, lawyers cannot even enter the court. Without access, participation in court proceedings is impossible,” the general secretary said.