Lawyers at Allahabad HC abstain from work protesting non-appointment of judges
Prayagraj (PTI): The functioning of the Allahabad High Court was paralysed on Friday after lawyers abstained from judicial work in protest against decreasing strength of judges as well as the proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill.
The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Thursday decided to abstain from judicial work to press their demands.
As per HCBA's resolution, the lawyers assembled at the main gate of the high court on Friday morning and refused to enter the court premises.
HCBA president Anil Tiwari said the sanctioned strength of judges for the Allahabad High Court is 160. However, at present the court has less than half of its sanctioned strength at 55, while 23 judges are working in its Lucknow bench.
Due to insufficient number of judges, the pendency of cases is increasing each passing day as cases are not being taken up for several months, the lawyers' body said.
The HCBA has demanded to not only meet the sanctioned strength of judges, but also an increase in the sanctioned strength to hear the rising number of cases.
The lawyers also protested against the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill proposed by the Centre, claiming that its provisions are against the interest of the advocates and the autonomy of the bar association.
The government plans to amend the Advocates Act, 1961, by making sweeping changes in the definitions of what a legal practitioner and a law graduate mean.
According to the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a law graduate means a person who has obtained a bachelor's degree in law of three or five years or such other duration as prescribed, by any centre of legal education or university established by law or a college affiliated to any university and recognised by the Bar Council of India.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kohli's U-19 teammate Amanpreet Singh Gill dies at 36
New Delhi (PTI): Former India U-19 and Punjab medium pacer Amanpreet Singh Gill died at the age of 36 in Chandigarh on Wednesday, leaving the cricket fraternity in mourning.
The cause of death is not yet known.
Gill, who was Virat Kohli's U-19 teammate, featured in six first-class matches for Punjab, picking up 11 wickets.
He was also part of the Punjab franchise (Kings XI Punjab) in the inaugural Indian Premier League season, and later served as a member of Punjab's senior selection committee.
"Punjab Cricket Association deeply mourns the sad demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill, former Punjab cricketer and Member, Senior Selection Committee Punjab,” the Punjab Cricket Association announced on X.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the family in this difficult time."
Two-time World Cup-winning India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also paid tribute to Gill.
"Deeply saddened to hear about Amanpreet Singh Gill’s passing. Shared the dressing room in our early days, he was a quiet, hardworking cricketer who loved the game. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace Om Shanti,” Singh posted on X.
Gill played five Youth ODIs and one Youth Test for India in 2007.
In the longer format, he claimed the wicket of former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera.
However, he did not make the Virat Kohli-led India U-19 side that went on to win the 2008 World Cup.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Amanpreet Singh Shergill, who proudly represented Punjab and was a part of the Punjab Kings family. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire cricketing fraternity,” Punjab Kings posted on their official Instagram account.
