Noida bar association halts work, seeks repeal of ban on general power of attorney

Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Suhas LY said, “We have deployed officials to establish communication with advocates to address their issues.”

The Noida bar association on Wednesday stopped work at its sector 33 office to protest against the Uttar Pradesh government’s order banning general power of attorney in the district.

Lawyers on protest at the registry office in sector 33, Noida on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

The state government on January 4, 2023, via an order issued by the special secretary, banned general power of attorney (GPA) citing irregularities in executing GPAs in the district. The order also directed that a special investigation team be set up to probe the irregularities that took place in execution of GPAs.

CS Nagar, president of the Noida Bar association, said, “All advocates in the registry offices of Noida, Greater Noida and Dadri stopped work, affecting the registries of properties, including flats. The ban on GPA is infringing on the rights of the common man and the order is against stamp act provisions. The protest will grow stronger if the order is not repealed.”

Gautam Budh Nagar district magistrate Suhas LY said, “We banned GPAs following an order issued by the state government, so we cannot remove it. We have deployed officials to establish communication with advocates to address their issues.”

GPA allows a person to appoint another person or organisation to make decisions on their behalf. In the real estate sector, it is often used to transfer property rights to another party when buying or selling.

“If someone has done any irregular act with GPA, then it does not mean the government will stop it for the general public. The move has not only affected the general public, which uses GPA to manage their properties, but also affected our livelihood,” said Sanjiv Kumar, a lawyer who practises in the sector 33 registry office.