A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Allahabad High Court, urging the court to direct the formulation of a dedicated mediclaim or healthcare policy for advocates registered with the State Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh.
The PIL, brought forward by petitioner-in-person Alok Kumar Mishra, underscores the crucial role advocates play in the administration of justice while highlighting their current lack of medical insurance coverage. Mishra’s plea argues that despite their pivotal role in the judicial system, advocates in Uttar Pradesh are not provided with any mediclaim policy or health security, unlike their counterparts in other states like Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
“Advocates are an essential part of the administration of justice, and without their assistance, the functioning of the judicial system is not possible,” the PIL states, emphasizing the disparity in healthcare benefits provided to lawyers across different states.
The plea specifically appeals to the Allahabad High Court to direct the Union of India, Uttar Pradesh State Bar Council, and Bar Council of India to establish a mechanism for providing mediclaim policies, health cards, or health security to practicing advocates registered with the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh. It cites existing schemes in other states, such as the Mukhyamantri Adhivakta Kalyan Scheme in Madhya Pradesh and the Chief Minister Advocates Welfare Scheme in Delhi, as examples that Uttar Pradesh should emulate for the benefit of its legal fraternity.
In a related development, the Allahabad High Court recently directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider implementing an insurance scheme for advocates representing the state government across Uttar Pradesh, including before the High Court. Justices Rajan Roy and Om Prakash Shukla instructed the state government to submit an affidavit within four weeks outlining its stance on the matter.
The PIL has drawn attention to the pressing need for comprehensive healthcare coverage for advocates in Uttar Pradesh, addressing their vulnerabilities to accidents and illnesses without adequate financial support from the government or bar associations. As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders await the court’s decision on potentially transformative measures to safeguard the health and welfare of the state’s legal professionals.
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