Uttarakhand HC Takes Action on Petition Challenging Fee Hike for Filing Complaints Against Lawyers: Seeks Response from BCI and State Bar Council

The Uttarakhand High Court, presided by Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal, issued notice to the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Bar Council of Uttarakhand on Monday in response to a petition challenging the fee increase for filing complaints against lawyers before the State Bar Council.

The case, Satya Dev Tyagi v State, was brought forward by the petitioner, who argued that the Bar Council of Uttarakhand had raised the fees for filing a complaint against an advocate to ₹5,500, which is in direct violation of the Bar Council of India Rules that only allow a maximum of ₹450 to be levied for such a complaint.

The petitioner further argued that the high fees have made it difficult for genuine complainants to initiate a complaint against an advocate’s misconduct, and that the decision of the Bar Council of Uttarakhand to fix the amount at ₹5,500 is illegal. 

In response to the petition, the High Court directed the respondents to file counter affidavits within one week.

The matter will be taken up again on June 13 and the High Court will decide the fate of the petition. 

The Uttarakhand High Court has taken a significant step in bringing justice to those who have been wronged by lawyers and are unable to file a complaint due to the high fees. It remains to be seen how the court will rule on the matter and what the outcome will be.