Women lawyers write to HM Amit Shah, seek financial and infrastructural help amid pandemic

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, over 2,000 women lawyers from across country sought financial assistance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and requested him to improve infrastructural facilities of virtual courts.

In a representation sent to Home Minister on Friday, women lawyers urged him to take steps to provide financial assistance to advocates under Disaster Manment Act on reasonable terms and conditions. A copy of representation was also sent to Prime Minister's Office, Ministery of Law, and Ministery of Finance.

On July 21, women lawyers started a signature campaign for representation, which received over two thousand responses within 40 hours. signatories also include senior advocate Meera Khadakkar and Archana Pathak. On following day, Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of matter and asked Union of India, Bar Council of India, and ors to file ir response.

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Lack of proper infrastructure

women lawyers, in a press statement, said that even during ongoing process of "unlock", courts have been functioning on a minal basis and virtual courts have become common.

"Most of advocates do t have proper infrastructure and electronic gadgets such as laptops, scanners, good wi-fi for better bandwidth, and even dedicated s in associations to participate in virtual hearings in virtual courts effectively," statement read.

It furr mentioned that if Home Ministry considers representation moved by women advocates, it will be of immense help to entire community of advocates in overcoming financial hardships encountered in face of COVID-19 crisis and will also improve functioning of virtual courts.

statement added that women advocates are majorly affected by financial restraints since March this year due to limited functioning of courts.

(With inputs from ncy)

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