Advocates demonstrate on court premises. Picture by Manik Bose

Ranchi, June 2: Civil court advocates will continue their strike till June 7.

Ranchi District Bar Association (RDBA) secretary Shyam Sunder Ojha said the decision was taken after no one turned up on the behalf of judicial commissioner D.N. Upadhayay before RDBA officials to find an amicable solution to the problem.

“A decision on the strike will be taken after a meeting at 9am on June 7. We are not against mediation but we did not like the way advocates were taken for granted by the judicial commissioner,” Ojha said expressing concern over the development.

Advocates are on strike since last Thursday after makeshift offices of some of their colleagues were removed from the veranda of the fast track court for the construction of a mediation centre. The action was taken without giving any prior notice to the advocates.

Over 1,400 advocates are associated with civil courts. Their strike has affected regular trials in criminal and civil matters pending before the 50-plus judicial courts.

Work at executive courts, however, is not affected.

A civil court advocate, Ashok Mishra, said the seating arrangement has always been a matter of concern for lawyers. Though space for building construction has been provided, he said, it would take some time.

“Advocates sit under the tree or under the open sky on the civil court premises. There are a few who sit in temporary structures on court premises. The number of advocates sitting on the veranda has also increased.

After tables and chairs of some of the advocates were removed from the veranda, panic spread among those who have found it difficult to remain in the profession, Mishra added.