‘Who runs the group?’: SC asks lawyers’ group seeking aid

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday fired a volley of questions at the Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association, which filed a plea seeking an interest-free loan for lawyers, seeking to know its credentials.

A bench of Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian was bit surprised with the name of the association and asked a range of questions to understand what it was and does.

“Is this a registered association? What are the activities of this association, who is running it, who are the members, who is running the show?” the CJI asked, emphasising that the bench is keen on this information, as the petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Counsel for the association submitted before the bench that its members argue before the top court every day.

“In these Covid times, we are doing a lot of work for the members during the pandemic,” said the petitioner’s counsel.

Noting that it does not doubt the group’s motive, Chief Justice Bobde said: “We are glad that you are doing good work for your members.”

He, however, added that the credentials need to be brought on record by way of an affidavit and granted time to file this.

The lawyers’ association has moved the top court seeking a direction to the Centre to waive off interest on loans availed by its members, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Citing the issues faced by the lawyers amid the ongoing pandemic, especially those lawyers who have taken loans but are not in a position to repay the instalments, the association also prayed for a scheme to provide interest-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh to its members.

–IANS

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