The Allahabad High Court has issued a directive to the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government, urging it to explore the possibility of instituting an insurance scheme for lawyers representing the state across UP, including before the High Court. This decision, rendered by a bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Om Prakash Shukla, came in response to a plea filed by a practising High Court advocate, Hari Prasad Gupta, highlighting the plight of State Law Officer Neeraj Chaurasia, who was critically injured in a road accident and is currently undergoing treatment at Max Super Specialty Hospital’s neuro-surgery department.
In the course of hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Gupta, the Court also issued notices to the Oudh Bar Association and the UP-Bar Council, directing them to provide input on the matter. The Court’s attention was drawn to the financial strain faced by Chaurasia and his family due to the accident, prompting discussions on potential avenues for providing assistance.
Advocate RD Shahi, the newly elected President of the Oudh Bar Association, informed the Court about the existing financial aid available, capped at Rs.1,00,000, which had already been disbursed to Chaurasia’s family to cover medical expenses. However, Shahi emphasized the limitations within which such assistance operates, indicating that the issue requires a broader solution.
In response, the bench suggested the formulation of an insurance scheme specifically tailored for such cases, a proposal that garnered support from Shahi, who pledged to bring the matter up for consideration at an upcoming Executive Council meeting. On the government’s side, Additional Advocate General Kuldeep Pati Tripathi acknowledged the absence of any existing insurance scheme for State lawyers but assured the bench that efforts were underway to secure financial assistance through other channels.
The Court, while urging swift action from the State Government to facilitate Chaurasia’s treatment, emphasized the collective responsibility of the legal fraternity, especially senior members, to extend support to Chaurasia and his family. Recognizing the broader significance of the issue, the Court scheduled further proceedings for August 2024, instructing the state government to submit an affidavit outlining its stance and proposed course of action.
