‘No high court bench, no vote’: Meerut bar calls boycott of BJP leaders

MEERUT: Meerut Bar Association on Wednesday intensified its agitation for a permanent high court bench in western Uttar Pradesh, announcing a boycott of BJP leaders over their alleged lack of support for the long-pending demand.Lawyers abstained from judicial work and staged protests at the court premises, with advocates from 22 western UP districts extending support. Posters carrying the slogan “No Bench, No Vote” were displayed at court entrances and on lawyers’ vehicles.At a general body meeting on Tuesday, the association resolved to bar BJP-elected representatives and office-bearers from entering the court complex. It also decided to initiate the withdrawal of vakalatnamas (a written legal document that a client signs to authorise a lawyer or advocate to represent them in a court of law) filed by its members for serving and former BJP representatives in various courts, including MP-MLA courts.Meerut Bar Association president Anuj Kumar Sharma said the decisions followed a meeting between a nine-member delegation and chief minister Yogi Adityanath.“We have been pursuing the demand for HC bench for decades. People from this region have to travel to Prayagraj for justice, which involves considerable time and expense. If the govt says it cannot provide a bench, the responsibility cannot simply be shifted elsewhere. We will intensify our democratic and legal struggle until the demand is addressed,” Sharma said.He said the delegation submitted a memorandum to the CM, who told them govt could not provide a bench and advised them to approach Supreme Court. Sharma also alleged that the lawyers were asked to hand over their mobile phones and were not allowed to photograph the meeting.The association also decided to withdraw the vakalatnama of Rajya Sabha MP Laxmikant Vajpayee in connection with the demand and seek early termination of the membership of BJP-linked elected representatives associated with it.Central Struggle Committee is likely to meet in Saharanpur. Lawyers also plan to approach traders and other city associations to mobilise wider public support. The move has sparked dissent among lawyers, with BJP-supporting advocates opposing the proposed boycott and withdrawal of vakalatnamas.(With inputs from Munish Kumar in Meerut)You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Meerut | Silver Rate in Meerut | Bank Holidays in Meerut | Public Holidays in Meerut | Meerut AQI | Weather in Meerut | Petrol Price in Meerut | Diesel Price in Meerut | CNG Price in Meerut | LPG Price in MeerutStay updated with the latest Meerut news. Download the TOI App.