Rent Bill controversy: Lawyers' strike in Gujarat ends for 6 days, govt gives big assurance

Gujarat lawyers strike ends: The continuous strike by lawyers in the state for the last 6 days against the legal framework and provisions of the new Rent Bill has finally come to a happy end. There has been tremendous relief among the entire lawyer fraternity and the parties as a positive decision was taken in an important meeting held between the office bearers of the Bar Council of Gujarat and the state government. It has been clearly assured by the government that the power of any dispute related to tenancy and property will remain intact with the judicial authority (judiciary) as per the earlier system. After this official assurance and assurance from the government, the lawyers have put an end to their fierce protest and legal proceedings will resume as usual in all the courts in the state from tomorrow

5-member committee to be formed to review the new law

Bar Council of Gujarat Chairman P.D. Patel According to the official statement, there was a lot of resentment and dissatisfaction among lawyers across the state over this new rent bill. As a result, they were completely detached from the court proceedings and the judicial process came to a standstill. There was an extensive and fruitful discussion between the Deputy Chief Minister of the state and senior members of the Bar Council on this very serious and sensitive issue. In this marathon meeting, the government has taken a positive decision that a high-level special committee of 5 members will be formed to properly review the new law and suggest necessary legal amendments in it. The final decision will be taken on the basis of the in-depth study suggested by the Committee><

Why were the lawyers protesting so fiercely?

As per the old law hitherto prevalent, disputes, claims and disputes between the landlord and tenant used to be filed in the Small Causes Court. For this legal process, specially appointed law experts and trained judges are appointed, who give appropriate justice on the basis of evidence and law. But, the draft of the new Rent Bill recently prepared by the State Government provided for taking away all these powers from the Small Causes Court and vesting them in administrative officers of the rank of Deputy Collector or Assistant Municipal Commissioner as Rent Authority.

The biggest and logical argument of the lawyers was that these administrative officers like the Collector or the Municipal Commissioner did not have adequate training or knowledge of the legal provisions, constitutional rights and judicial process. Therefore, they could never be appointed as judges to resolve legal disputes. Moreover, the necessary suggestions were not sought from any legal experts or the Bar Council before preparing this draft. There was a clear apprehension that the interests of the poor and middle class tenants would be put at great risk as the judicial powers were directly in the hands of the administration. The lawyers also had a strong apprehension that perhaps the government and big builders might work together in an arbitrary manner against the interests of the tenants for their own economic interests. Also, it was extremely difficult, time-consuming and financially expensive for the litigants to leave the court premises and go to the collectorate or corporation offices of different zones to fight cases

Bills pending before the Governor and the future of the judicial system

Presently, this controversial Rent Bill Bill is pending the Governor's signature and final approval. The Bar Association has a very clear demand that this anti-people bill should be repealed with immediate effect and the old judicial system and law should continue in practice. However, for the time being, this widespread controversy has calmed down after the government got a written assurance to form a 5-member committee and keep the judicial powers with the courts.