Ranchi, April 11: Ranchi advocates have become accountable, at least as far as issuing affidavits is concerned, but for a fee of Rs 25.

Earlier affidavits would cost between Rs 15 and Rs 200 depending on the client’s haggling powers. From now it would be available for Rs 55 thanks to a move by the Ranchi Bar Association.

Now clients are required to purchase a form for Rs 55 inclusive of all statutory fees that will also make it mandatory for advocates and notaries to mention their names along with their enrolment numbers. Clients will merely have to pay a separately to typists who charge Rs 5 per page.

S.S. Ojha, the Ranchi Bar Association general secretary, said they were forced to adopt the system because of the rampant issuance of fake affidavits.

“Everyday around 500-1,000 affidavits are submitted at CCL alone and 99 per cent of them are fake in the sense that signatures of advocates and notaries are not authentic,” he said.

Ojha said raids and arrests have failed to deter the touts and that forced the bar association to think of an alternative solution.

The response to the new system was overwhelming. The association joint secretary was busy signing fresh forms, as the stock for the week was over in less than four hours. “Any person complaining must be a tout himself,” remarked Ojha.

Pay right

Affidavit form break-up
Advocate fee: Rs 25
Notary fee: Rs 15
Embossing: Rs 5
Welfare stamp: Rs 2.50
Printing of form: Re 1
Ranchi Bar Association: Rs 4.50