Full Text
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 22nd December, 2020
GOVIND SWAROOP CHATURVEDI ..... Petitioner
Through: Petitioner in person.
Through: Mr. Rajeev Nayyar, Sr. Advocate (NP) with Mr. Satyakam, Additional
Standing Counsel for GNCTD.
Mr. Rakesh Khanna, Sr. Advocate.
Mr. Sanjay Rawat, Advocate with Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Manager for NIACL.
JUDGMENT
10 WITH + W.P.(C) 3357/2020 BALVINDER SINGH BAGGA & ORS...... Petitioners Through: Petitioner No.1 in person.
VERSUS
GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS...... Respondents Through: Mr. Rajeev Nayyar, Sr. Advocate (NP) with Mr. Satyakam, Additional Standing Counsel for GNCTD. Mr. Rakesh Khanna, Sr. Advocate. Mr. Sanjay Rawat, Advocate with Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Manager for NIACL. 11 AND + W.P.(C) 3362/2020 and CM APPL. 11901/2020, 11902/2020, 17666/2020, 29369/2020 BAR COUNCIL OF DELHI THROUGH ITS CHAIRMAN..... Petitioner Through: None.
VERSUS
GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS...... Respondents 2020:DHC:3670 W.P.(C) 3298/2020 & connected matters 12 AND + W.P.(C) 4303/2020 and CM APPL. 15480/2020
VERSUS
GOVT.
OF NCTD & ORS...... Respondents 13 AND + W.P.(C) 4304/2020 and CM APPL. 15481/2020
VERSUS
GOVT.
OF NCTD & ORS...... Respondents CORAM: JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH Prathiba M. Singh, J. (Oral)
1. This hearing has been done through video conferencing.
2. A status report has been filed in respect of the insurance policies. The main issue appears to be the non-furnishing of complete data to the New India Assurance Company Limited (hereinafter, “NIACL”). It is submitted W.P.(C) 3298/2020 & connected matters by ld. Counsel for GNCTD that there are various discrepancies in the data furnished by lawyers in respect of their dependents and other details, including:
(i) Non availability of Gender of dependents of the applicant.
(ii) Non availability of date of birth as per the format of Insurance
(iii) Incorrect date of birth of the applicants.
(iv) Names of many dependents are prefixed with the word “Late”
(v) Details of beneficiaries without main applicant advocate.
3. Insofar as issuance of e-cards and physical plastic cards for lawyers and their dependents is concerned, Mr. Sanjay Rawat, ld. counsel along with Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Manager, NIACL submit that only when the data is complete with accurate details, the cards can be issued. Until then, cashless services would be provided by NIACL. Claims would, however, only be reimbursed once the details are filled up and the data is completed. Since the complete data is admittedly not yet furnished, NIACL’s position as informed to the Court is taken on record. GNCTD/BCD shall prepare a circular informing all advocates of the effect and benefits of the NIACL policy and the fact that all advocates have to update/rectify/provide their details. For the purpose of filling up of data, two weeks’ time may be granted by GNCTD to all the lawyers. The said circular shall be published on all the websites of the various Bar Associations, including the DHCBA in order to ensure that all lawyers fill up their data in time and issuance of the policies can be expedited. The two weeks’ time shall commence from 28th December, 2020, W.P.(C) 3298/2020 & connected matters by which time, the circular would be prepared and widely circulated amongst all the members of the BCD. This order shall extend to only those lawyers who had registered prior to the deadline fixed and shall not extend to lawyers who had not previously registered. In respect of such lawyers, who had not registered for insurance, the issue as to whether the registration ought to be opened once again is still under consideration by this Court in the pending writ petitions.
4. It is submitted that none of the ld. Sr. counsels for the Petitioners are available for arguments today.
5. List for hearing on 15th January, 2021. It is made clear that on the next date arrangements shall be made by the Petitioners, for addressing arguments, as the matters are already part-heard.
PRATHIBA M. SINGH JUDGE DECEMBER 22, 2020/MR/T