Will give financial aid to lawyers amid lockdown: Bar Council

Nagpur, May 16 () The Bar Council of Maharashtraand Goa (BCMG) has told the Bombay High Court that it shallprovide financial assistance under its welfare scheme to thoseadvocates who have been affected by lack of work due to thecoronavirus-triggered lockdown.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) also told the court onFriday that it, too, has provided some amount to the BCMG forthe purpose of providing assistance to the needy lawyers.

Justice Amit Borkar of the Nagpur bench of HC washearing a petition filed by advocate Mohammed Arif SheikhDawood, seeking a direction to the BCI and the BCMG to providefinancial assistance to the needy and poor advocates amid thelockdown.

The petitioner's advocare Mir Nagman Ali told thecourt that several lawyers practising in district-level courtsare affected as courts are not functioning.

The BCMG on Friday told the court that all such needyand eligible advocates can approach it seeking assistance andtheir case will be considered sympathetically and they will beprovided financial assistance.

The High Court Bar Association of Nagpur also told thecourt that it has also taken pro-active measures and providingfood kits and financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to its members.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing onMay 22. CLS SPNP NP