BAR COUNCIL OF DELHI
(Statutory Body Constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961)
2/6, Siri Fort Institutional Area, Khel Gaon Marg, New Delhi-110 049
Ref. No. 514/SF/2020
Dated: 09.03.2020
Shri Ram Vilas Paswan
Hon’ble Union Minister of Consumer Affairs
Food and Public Distribution,
Government of India.
179, Krishi Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road.
New Delhi-110001.
R/o 12, Junpath,
New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
Your kind attention is invited to a media report, according to which your Ministry is contemplating to include lawyers within the definition of Consumer Protection Act 2019, although the principal act do not so include.
As per the information available, your Ministry is framing Rules under the Act and wants to surreptitiously include the lawyers under the proposed Rules so as to bring the lawyers across the country within the jurisdiction of Consumer Redressal Forum. This is highly deplorable and the lawyers across the country will never accept their inclusion within the definition of the provisions of Consumer Protection Act.
The legal profession is an integral part of justice delivery system and is not a commercial or trade activity and the legal professional cannot be included for any purpose under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 or the Rules as is being contemplated.
We have serious objection to it and request you not to proceed with any such proposal of inclusion of lawyers within the definition of ‘Services” under the said Act or the Rules. However, if any such step is pursued further, the matter can be taken by the entire legal community across the country to take a final view in the matter.
We hope, you would kindly drop bringing any such provision to include lawyers within the definition of Consumer Protection act 2019 or the Rules to be made there-under.
Your early reply will be highly appreciated.
With regards,
(K.C. Mittal)
