Question : STRIKE BY LAWYERS

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the newsitem captioned `Videshi Vakilon Ke mudde par February main hartal va virodh pradarshan` appearing in Dainik Jagran dated January 23, 2000;

(b) if so, whether lawyers of various courts in the capital are on strike in protest against the proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961;

(c) if so, the reason therefor;

(d) whether the disposal of various cases in the judiciary have come to a halt due to the strike of lawyers;

(e) if so, whether his ministry has approached the Supreme Court to settle this issue;

(f) if so, the details thereof; (g) whether the Government have appointed a Commission to inquire into incident of lathicharge on lawyers during the demonstration on February 24, 2000; (h) if so, the details of terms and reference of the Commission thereof; and (i) if not, the steps taken by the Government to redress the grievances of the striking lawyers?

MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS
(SHRI RAM JETHMALANI)

(a) Yes, Sir;

(b)&(c) Lawyers went on strike in various parts of the country with effect from 24.02.2000 protesting against the CPC (Amendment) Act, 1999 and the entry of foreign lawyers and continuing tests for lawyers;

(d) Yes, in those courts where the strike was effective;

(e) No, Sir;

(g) The Government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry presided by Mr. Justice G.T. Nanavati, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India;

(h) The terms of reference of the Commission are -


(i) to inquire into the facts, circumstances and events leading to the use of force by the police that is lathi charge and use of tear-gas etc. on the lawyers` demonstration held at Parliament Street, New Delhi on 24th February, 2000;

(ii) to examine and report whether the force used by the police was excessive and disproportionate and, if so, fix the responsibility on the erring police officials; and
(iii) to recommend measures that need to be taken to avoid occurrence of such incidents in future.

(i) Does not arise.