BACKGROUND 

On Sunday, the Bar Council of India (BCI) demanded that the Union Government create legislation to safeguard attorneys and their families. An effective law for the protection of advocates’ lives, interests, and privileges as well as an effective law for the payment of fair compensation in the event of an attack on them or any other physical harm or injury to them or their families were demanded at a joint meeting of the BCI and State Bar Councils on Sunday. This follows the incident on Friday where a suspended lawyer chased a woman and is accused of firing numerous shots at her in a Saket courtroom before escaping on a two-wheeler.

KEY POINT DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING 

• The BCI also discussed same-sex marriage for legislative consideration during the meeting, along with several other crucial issues, such as the requirements for membership in the State Bar Council and the rules governing enrolment fees and foreign solicitors and law firms.
• The Union Government was encouraged to frame an effective law to safeguard the lives, interests, and privileges of advocates and their families by the BCI, which had also recommended a statute for their protection during the meeting. In the event of an attack or other physical harm or injury to them or their family, they ask that the proper amount of compensation be paid.