Advocates in Jharkhand abstain from judicial work to protest court fee hike

Ranchi, July 25: Advocates across the state today abstained from judicial works to protest against the court fee hike in Jharkhand.

Though clients suffered, advocates justified their agitation saying it is finally in the interest of clients.

“The court fee has been increased by 300 percent to 400 percent. For example, the court fee for filing attendance in the court, which is at present Rs 5, has become Rs 20. Similarly, the maximum fee for filing civil suit has become Rs 3 lakh from Rs 50,000. The Court fee in Jharkhand High Court has also almost doubled. If it is allowed, clients will be sufferers. People come to court for the judicial remedy and thus the exorbitant court fee is coming as a hurdle before the judicial process. It is not in the interest of common people,” chairman of the Jharkhand State Bar Council (JSBC), Rajendra Krishna, said justifying the agitation.

Expressing his anguish against the hike of court fee in the state, JSBC chairman Krishna said there is no logic behind  increasing the fee and it was done without consultation with the advocates’ body.

“The court fee is decided on the basis of administrative charge but here in Jharkhand we do not see the hike in accordance with the administrative charge,” Krishna said.

Asked about further action in case of denial of the state government to withdraw its decision, Krishna said the agitation will be intensified and government will be compelled to withdraw its decision.

“Sarkar Ko Wapas Lena Hoga. Yah to warning hai,” JSBC chairman Krishna said.

A civil court lawyer Rajesh Kumar supported JSBC chairman Krishna saying “presently, the court fee for filing Vakalatnana is Rs 5 which has been increased to Rs 35.’

Another advocate Dheeraj Kumar echoed the same saying ‘earlier Rs 5 per page was required for a copy in ordinary case and Rs 10 per page was required in urgent case. Now it has been doubled.” Kumar said and added the way the fee has been increased for filing a suit it has become difficult for the poor to contest legal battle if someone grabs his land and for a state like Jharkhand where cases of land dispute often arise, such a high fee will deprive people from justice.