Delhi High Court Asks Government to Review Lawyers’ Objections to Advocates Protection Bill

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi government to examine the objections raised by lawyers practising in district and trial courts regarding the draft Advocates Protection Bill, 2024. The Court said that these objections must be properly considered while finalising the law meant to safeguard advocates.

Justice Sachin Datta recorded the objections submitted by the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi, which represents lawyers across various district courts in the city. The Court clarified that the Delhi government should review these concerns while framing the final legislation. The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 8.

The case arose from a petition filed by lawyers demanding a law to ensure their safety, especially after an advocate was murdered in April 2023. The petition highlighted the need for a secure working environment for advocates in Delhi.

Earlier, in May 2023, the Bar Council of Delhi and the Coordination Committee had submitted a draft Advocates Protection Bill to the Delhi government. Later, in September 2024, the government informed the Court that a revised draft of the Advocates Protection Bill, 2024 had been prepared and sent to the Council of Ministers. In May 2025, the High Court had already asked the government to act swiftly in enacting the law.

Following this, the Coordination Committee raised objections to certain provisions of the draft Bill, stating that definitions such as “act of violence” and “advocate engaged by a client” were too narrow and could exclude many real-life situations faced by lawyers.

Advocate KC Mittal appeared before the Court on behalf of the Coordination Committee.