Delhi High Court Directs Expedited Financial Aid for Advocate's Critical Medical Condition

Court Orders Reconstitution of Welfare Fund Committee for Urgent Assistance to Advocate Facing Life-Threatening Illness

In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has directed the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) to reconstitute the committee of the Advocates' Welfare Fund Trust to address an urgent petition filed by Mrs. Anshika Kumari. The petitioner, wife of Mr. Pradeep Kumar, a practicing advocate suffering from a critical medical condition, sought ex-gratia financial assistance for a life-saving liver transplant.

The case, heard by Justice Sachin Datta, highlighted the plight of Mr. Pradeep Kumar, who has been battling Chronic Liver Disease and related complications. The estimated cost of his urgent liver transplant surgery, approximately 30 lakh rupees, far exceeds the family's financial capacity, prompting the plea for immediate financial support from the Advocates' Welfare Fund.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the Bar Council of Delhi had been dissolved following an order under Section 8A of the Advocates Act, 1961, leading to the necessity of appointing a special committee to oversee its functions. As a result, the Advocates' Welfare Fund Trust's committee also required reconstitution. The Bar Council of Delhi had communicated this need to the Principal Secretary (Law) of the GNCTD, but no action had been taken at the time of the hearing.

In response to the urgent nature of the petition, the court directed the GNCTD to reconstitute the necessary committee within a week and ordered the petitioner to file the requisite claim for ex-gratia assistance. The court emphasized the need for the reconstituted committee to consider the claim in its next meeting, preferably within three weeks, to ensure timely aid for the advocate's medical treatment.

The case has been scheduled for a subsequent hearing on December 16, 2025, to review the progress in the reconstitution of the committee and the status of the financial assistance claim.

Bottom Line:

Advocates' Welfare Fund - Relief sought for urgent financial assistance due to critical medical condition - Directions issued for reconstitution of the concerned committee to process the claim for ex-gratia financial assistance.

Statutory provision(s): Advocates' Welfare Fund Act, 2001 Sections 8A, 9

Mrs. Anshika Kumari v. Bar Council Of Delhi, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2797191