E-Paper
Munshis strike work
ADVOCATES? CLERKS, better known as munshis, abstained from work on Thursday, to protest the alleged thrashing of a munshi by some advocates. The munshis assembled at the main gate of the High Court in the morning, raised slogans and reiterated their unity. However, the courts functioned as usual and no hindrance was seen due to strike by the munshis. It is alleged that one munshi was assaulted by some advocates on Wednesday. Thereafter, the munshis assembled and resolved to go on strike on Thursday in protest.
ADVOCATES’ CLERKS, better known as munshis, abstained from work on Thursday, to protest the alleged thrashing of a munshi by some advocates.
The munshis assembled at the main gate of the High Court in the morning, raised slogans and reiterated their unity.
However, the courts functioned as usual and no hindrance was seen due to strike by the munshis.
It is alleged that one munshi was assaulted by some advocates on Wednesday. Thereafter, the munshis assembled and resolved to go on strike on Thursday in protest.
Meanwhile, former treasurer of High Court Bar Association Manoj Kumar Mishra, who was accused of beating up the munshi along with some advocates, denied all charges as ‘baseless’. Instead, he accused the munshi of misbehaving with a junior advocate.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Mishra said on Wednesday, he saw a munshi misbehaving with a junior lawyer.
He immediately intervened and got both of them separated. Seeing trouble, some lawyers intervened and thrashed the munshi. Mishra said that he again intervened and saved the munshi.
According to Mishra, the munshi concerned was at fault and in order to check him some force was used.
Meanwhile, in order to check such incidents in future, the Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has passed a resolution that advocates’ clerks (munshis) would be allowed to enter the High Court premises after Dussehra vacation if they were wearing black coat and tie. It would apply only to registered munshis.
Besides, non-registered munshis would be allowed to enter the High Court premises if they were wearing half black coat and they are identified by their respective counsels and by the High Court Bar Association.
According to secretary of HCBA, Rakesh Pandey, this resolution had been forwarded to Registrar-General of the High Court.
According to HCBA, the clerks were required to arrange the prescribed dress.
If they were not in a position to do the same, their dress would be arranged for by their respective advocates, the resolution said.
However, High Court Bar Association president CL Pandey expressed his anguish that despite his request, the munshis did not resume work.
